The importance of prayer for a more profound experience of God was stressed by the bishops in their pastoral letter for lent.

Archbishop Paul Cremona, Gozo bishop Mario Grech and Auxiliary bishop Charles Scicluna said that prayer constituted those moments “which bring us into contact with God.” 

They also called on Christians to focus on charity and go to Mass during Lent.

“We are saddened to notice that there are some people who are distancing themselves from the community and not attending Mass. This is what we read in the Letter to the Hebrews: “Do not stay away from the meetings of the community as some do; encourage each other to go,” they said.

The bishops insist that one had to make space for God in his life and the more time that was dedicated to prayer, the more profound would be one’s experience of God. 

“By means of prayer we build a relationship with God. Through our mutual dialogue, we are enlightened by him as we listen to what he has to say to us.  In this respect, it is beneficial for us to pray with the Word of God, that our hearts may be opened to receive the truth which God the Father wishes to teach us.”

The bishops said that, through his Word, God revealed the purpose for which he created mankind -  his divine plan for the family as from the beginning of creation; his plan for the human person – created male and female and called to become one flesh in their love for one another to create a nest for his children; the Church as a community where God abided among mankind; and humanity - the crowning glory of God’s creation - whom he entrusted with the task of safe-guarding the rest of the created order.

The bishops’ letter in full may be read in the pdf links below.