Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2Prayer is the foundation for our spiritual walk. I like what Oswald Chambers wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.” In Constant Prayer is the newest book by Robert Benson and I am happy to add it my bookshelf next to other books I have by him: Venite and A Good Life.In Constant Prayer explains the pattern of prayer and worship called the Daily Office. This ancient practice is also known as the liturgy of the hours, fixed hour prayer, the divine office, the divine hours and daily prayer. It is the discipline of praying at fixed times throughout the day and night. Though its structure may not appeal to everyone, we are all called to deeper communion with God and this is certainly one way to open our hearts to hear God better.Benson writes in a warm friendly style like you are having a cup of coffee with him discussing ways to pray. He … [Read more...]
Teach Me to Listen, Lord – John Veltri – Quote of the Week
Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers.Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is, “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.”Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me– the whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished.Teach me to listen, O God my Mother, to myself. Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside — in the deepest part of me.Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice — in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence.Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen.This prayer was composed by John Veltri, S.J., a Canadian spiritual director and expert guide for those presenting the Spiritual Exercises. … [Read more...]
BEDTIME PRAYERS: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and the Daily Examen
One of my earliest memories is my mother tucking me into bed and reciting with me the classic children’s prayer:Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep.If I should die before I wake,I pray the Lord my soul to take.The origins of this prayer are unknown. However, the first printed edition was in Boston in 1737.I know there are several versions of this including a humorous one for single women:Now I lay me down to sleepI pray for a man who is not a creep…But I digress…As an adult I have a different bedtime prayer ritual, the Daily Examen.The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. It originates with St. Ignatius. The simple steps of this prayer are:1. Quiet yourself. And allow yourself to relax into God’s loving arms. Some people imagine sitting on … [Read more...]
Praying with Scissors
Our moms told us, “Don’t run with scissors.” Teachers warned us, “Be careful playing with scissors.” But have you ever thought of praying with scissors?I held a pair of scissors in my hands while I prayed the other day.Lord, You invited me to tenderly think and pray with scissors. What are your lessons?I smile as I drift back to kindergarten. Written on my report card are these words: “Jean Anne needs more work with scissors.”HA! I flunked ‘scissors” in that grade. Funny, Lord, you grace me with a humorous memory to begin our prayer time with some joy. I guess I still "need more work with scissors."My fingers slowly traced the blades. The sharp edges reminded me of my harsh and prickly retorts to my family. Ouch that hurt them.Lord, what do you want me to cut out? What strings do I cling to that block me giving my full heart to You. Help me sever those ties with Your sacred snip.Even up my jagged edges, Lord. Trim the useless fat that clogs my life.Scissors can be wonderfully … [Read more...]
A Prayer by Joyce Rupp – Quote of the week
A Prayer to Be Free From Tizzies*Dear God,you who did not invent tizzies,be with me when I get caughtin the wild worrying of my mind,and the needless scurrying aroundin my fearful heart.Trip me up when I fret and stewso I can see the trap of tizzies,with their schemes to keep mebunched up in stress and strain.Let me fall headfirst into the truthof your never-ending presence,wrap your kind arms around meand calm my doubts and fears.Shout loudly in my spiritual earwhen my nerves get knotted,my mind feels cramped,and my stomach screams.It may be difficult,but do try to get my full attention,because tizzies are not healthy,and they definitely chase peaceout the front door of my heart.Dear God, you did not invent tizzies,I did,and only I can send them on their way,and I will,if you strengthen meto let go of my anxious holdon what is nonessential.---Joyce Rupp from The Out of the Ordinary*A tizzy is a "state of frenzied excitement or distraction, especially over some trivial matter" … [Read more...]
Breath Prayers
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6 Have you heard of “Breath Prayers?” Breath prayers are short prayers said in one breath. Simple, repetitive and surprisingly ancient. The breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer to take on the shape of one's breathing so that the words accompany every breath. Examples of common breath prayers are “In you, Lord, I put my trust,” “Help me understand your ways, Lord,” “Lord I am yours,” and “My Lord and my God.” The idea is to pick a meaningful phrase and repeat it until it becomes a part of your being. Perhaps the most famous breath prayer is the Jesus Prayer. This prayer goes like this: "Lord Jesus Christ" (while breathing in), "have mercy on me, a sinner" (while breathing out). This is done repeatedly until all is stilled within your heart. In the 19th century, an unknown Russian peasant told the story of his … [Read more...]
Autumn Feast
Lord, I enjoyed our meal together this morning.My eyes feasted on the seasonal smorgasbord surrounding me – Light bouncing through the crevices of the clouds, Patches of trees blazing with brilliant oranges, burnt browns, and deepening reds, Fog drifting gently across earthen sea.I drank in the beauty of geese rising in formation, Deer gleaning the harvested fields, Leaves dancing with the wind.Lord of the harvest, You express exquisite creativity in nature. This annual autumn feast reveals Your glory I am amazed and grateful that You prepare this fall feast for our enjoyment. And I think You, Lord, must take delight in this time of year also.****************************************************************************Fall is NOT my favorite time of year, but the morning I wrote this prayer I was overwhelmed by its beauty. Autumn reminds me of the cycle of life and that even as things appear to be dying, they are also becoming new again.What does fall show … [Read more...]
A Listening God – Lectio Divina
"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6 (NLT)Listen as I pray.Listen.I shake my head in disbelief that the God of the Universe, the One who created all things, controls all circumstances and is Above All – listens to little ol’ me.Important people, Lord, much more significant, speak to you. Why the Pope, the Bishops, and many walking a purer spiritual life need You to hear them.Yet You listen to me.Aren’t my prayers drowned out in the ocean of chatter from the world? Yet You listen to me.When I whine and complain, You listen with love.When I praise and burst with thankfulness, You listen with joy.When I shout in anger and frustration, You listen with patience.When I can’t find the words, You listen to my heart.Thank for listening Lord. May I be a better listener to You. … [Read more...]