How I pray: Andre Sequeira speaks with The Record’s Debbie Warrier.
In the morning I bring myself into the presence of God. I begin with a meditation and the Mass readings of the day. If there are special occasions coming up for people I pray for them. Then I usually pray the Rosary on the train to work. I often say the Morning and Evening prayers of the Divine Office. Praying the Psalms captures all my different emotions. If I get the chance I like to go to daily Mass and do an hour of Adoration weekly. It is a special treat for me. I enjoy the Taize style of praying too.
When I meditate I use a mantra to focus because my mind is often racing. The most common mantra I use is called “Maranatha.” It means “Come Lord Jesus.” Sometimes I might say an aspiration like “Father, I belong to you” or “Jesus, help me.” Everything else is put on hold: I just be with the Lord and spend precious time with Him.
My wife Neicha and I attend the monthly Catholic Faith Renewal Prayer Meeting and Mass held at our parish, Sts John and Paul’s Church in Willetton. It really gives us a boost. I also support our parish youth group which meets monthly for an hour of Adoration. Besides this, we are part of monthly prayer group which supports individuals, families and the future faith life of the youth. At the Josephite Convent in South Perth there is a monthly meditative prayer in the style of Taize. I highly recommend that.
God has always been there for me. He was there when my first wife Jennifer passed away with leukaemia in 1999. When she was diagnosed we thought she would eventually recover. It was only a week before she died that we realised she wasn’t going to make it. It was a very difficult time in my life.
However, as sad and as hard as it was, we really felt the presence of the Lord in our lives. It helped us grow so much in our faith and trust of Him.
We experienced His love in a very personal way through our family members, the hospital chaplain, people we encountered and through each other.
We were living moment by moment.
My mother-in-law had difficulty accepting the seriousness of her daughter’s illness but finally prayed that if the suffering was too much it was okay for God to take her. That was the exact moment she died. I shared all my experiences in a book I wrote called, “Glimpses of Heaven.” I am confident that she went into the arms of God.
I have since remarried. Both my spouses have influenced my faith by the people that they are. I am so blessed because Neicha really values her prayer life and spends time every morning in prayer.
I really feel I have been spoilt by the Lord by blessing me with such a partner.
I thank God for being with me throughout my life. Not that I don’t feel anxious or worried but I just pray, “God, I put my faith in you.” My faith gives meaning and purpose to my life. I like to share it with others in a little, gentle way. Even just saying, “I’ll pray for you” to another can have a profound effect. It really works.
If you have a story to tell please contact Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com.