Friendship with Christ

Every day we spend two hours in silent personal prayer - one hour in the morning and one in the evening. This is our special time of conversation with Jesus; the time to get to know him more deeply, to listen to him or simply a contemplative gaze on him, being aware of his presence beside us and within us. Prayer is an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us. St Teresa of Jesus As Carmelites, we have been drawn irresistibly into this friendship with Jesus. St Teresa urges us repeatedly to keep our eyes fixed on him. The greatest desire of every Carmelite is to seek his face, to really get to know Jesus in a personal way, to love him and to make him loved, to grow into his likeness. We long to share Jesus’ filial love for the Father and his burning desire to spread the Kingdom. Through prayer our hearts expand to embrace all our sisters and brothers the world over. Ours is a life of faith: we don’t often see any result of our prayer, and yet we know the miracles God works through prayer.