“So, the paradox of prayer is that it asks for a serious effort while it can only be received as a gift. We cannot plan, organize or manipulate God; but without a careful discipline, we cannot receive him either.” (Henri J. M. Nouwen. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life) Just as Nouwen describes prayer as a paradox of gift and self-discipline, nurturing our spiritual health is also a contradiction of terms. No matter how we work, struggle, and strive to be closer to God, it is His movement to embrace us that draws us into His heart. I read a new resource this week that is helpful in creating space in our lives for God. The book is called Soulistry – Artistry of the Soul – Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality by June Mack Maffin. Using one of my favorite practices – journaling, Maffin provides 80 inspirational quotes and spiritual reflection questions to explore. She writes, “Journal writings are meant to be personal conversations - with … [Read more...]
Pondering Prayer
Jane Vennard wrote a paper, “Exploring a Life of Prayer” in December 1990. I reread this article the other day and still continue to unearth treasures from her writing. One of my deepest desires to is live a life of prayer and Vennard’s words helped me grow deeper. Vennard describes various types of prayers, including thought provoking questions. Her final questions lingered with me this week:* What is the easiest and most natural form of prayer for you?* What would be a realistic rhythm of prayer for you? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Would it be possible to schedule a yearly retreat?* Remember times you have wandered from your practice of prayer. What was the experience of being lost and then finding your way again?The easiest and most natural form of prayer for me is simple talking with God. I chat with Him all day – yes naturally I do all the talking and have had to intentionally work on the listening side. Paying attention to what God is saying to me is a lifelong lesson.I have … [Read more...]
Focus – Lectio Divina
“Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” (Proverbs 4:25, NAS)Let your eyes look directly aheadLord, my eyes wander.They look longingly to places that appear greener and more appealing than where You have planted me.They lust after the successes and riches of others.They roam looking for distracting paths and easy streets.I focus on the negative, the crisis and the urgent. I strive to keep mopping the water spilling all over the floor instead of looking up and simply turning off the faucet. My attention drifts from focusing only on You and what You have set before me.Proverbs corrects my vision by bringing the spotlight back onto You.You direct me to fix my gaze straight ahead where You lead.You lead. I follow.When I keep my eyes only on You, I don’t stray off your given path.You are the way. The only way.You alone.You. … [Read more...]
When you don’t have the words to pray – Quote of the Week
“A grandfather was walking through his yard when he heard his granddaughter repeating the alphabet in a tone of voice that sounded like a prayer.He asked her what she was doing.The little girl explained, ‘I am praying, but I can’t think of exactly the right words, so I ‘m just saying all the letters and God will put them together for me, because He know what I’m thinking.’”Charles B. Vaughan … [Read more...]
Organizing your Prayers – Prayer Calendars
I am an organized person. In fact some people think I am hyper-organized. Call us Type A personalities, high strung, or detail crazy – we are the planners, system thinkers, and get it done people. So it should be no surprise an idea called a “Prayer Calendar” excites me.I found this great concept the other day on the blog, Scripture Dig. The post was called “The Type A Person Prays” by Teri Lynne Underwood. Immediately I knew I found a soul sister. (By the way, Scripture Dig is a great web site too)Teri defines a prayer calendar as a “a prayer calendar is a tool for organizing the major areas of prayer in your life.” She uses both a weekly and monthly format and in the post lists the categories. Her suggestions are great and will give you many ideas on how to model this for your prayer life.I keep a list of people and ministries to pray for daily, but haven’t designated days or months like Teri has. I googled prayer calendars and found many organizations and churches share them … [Read more...]
Changing When I don’t want to or Teaching this old dog a new trick.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin TofflerThe quote above challenged my thinking this week.Change is occurring at a faster pace all the time. We are called upon to adapt, let go, and learn new technologies, systems, and patterns. I try to grasp a moment of time, but reality slips from my hand as the spinning disorients my thinking and steals my breath.I don’t know about the rest of you, but sometimes I just want to dig in my feet and say, “NO MORE!!” I slam on the breaks and my shifting gears grind to a stop.I suffer from change fatigue. Sigh.What frightens me is the study I read once that discovered one of the most common characteristics of people who lived to be 100 was their adaptability. Do you think resisting change is a cause of death? If not, that form of stubbornness probably leads to a miserable life.The reality is that the foundation of life is metamorphosis or change. … [Read more...]
Praying with Joy – Lectio Divina
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:4I always pray with joyOk Lord, that is not entirely true for me. I do not always pray with joy in all of my prayers.Maybe most of them.Well, some of them.To be honest, the majority of my prayers are not with joy.The other emotions demand center stage – fear, anxiety, desperation.Sprinkle in a little trust, devotion, and thankfulness - all waiting on the sidelinesI even express love - once in a while. But joy?Joy is an element often missing. That makes me sad.Lord, help me remember to pray with joy each and every time. Joy is Your essential ingredient that makes the bread rise. Joy is the yeast that ferments and grows the batch. I need Your joy.Whenever I approach Your throne, may joy be the first and last taste on my lips. … [Read more...]
Waiting for God – Quote of the Week
“I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor’s doorbell and then running away as fast as he can go.” E. M. Bounds … [Read more...]