Recognising treasures in the dross : prayer according to Ruth Burrows OCD

Abstract

The main focus of this dissertation is to elucidate the nature of prayer as understood by Sr. Ruth Burrows, OCD. Her experiences led her to believe that prayer should be viewed as our primary way of communicating with God. Therefore, we must have the confidence to stand before Him as we truly are—His children—while surrendering to and trusting Him as our Father. We need to embrace our humanness, with its inherent limitations, as a necessary aspect of our fundamental obedience to God. This calls us to follow the perfect example of Jesus Crucified, who fully emptied Himself in order to receive all that God wanted to offer. Burrows asserts that it is precisely our emptiness that creates the capacity to receive God and His love, which she believes is the essence of authentic prayer.