Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr entered my heart and soul with its message. See the July 21 post. The next several entries will feature thoughts about the daily rhythm of pausing for prayer throughout the day and even in the night.
People have prayed at fixed hours for centuries. These moments can be called sacred pauses, the daily office, or the divine hours. The number of times each day varies from three to four to seven. Honoring God by honoring the hours connect us to the divine and increases our awareness to the movement of the spirit in our lives.
I invite your comments as we honor the movement of the rhythm of each day as we pause and learn the lesson of that hour (background and specific themes for the featured hour) and stretch and grow (questions to ponder and practices to try)
Morning people drive people nuts. How do I know? I confess that I am one. We find it easy and natural to begin each day in prayer. We awaken with God, a form of resurrection. Morning brings a fresh start and bubbles with possibilities.
There is the old joke: Some of us say, “Good God, it’s morning!” and others of us say, “Good morning, God!”
But God still welcomes even the groggy, sleepy, pull the sheets over me and wake me up later people. After all He did lovingly wired each of us personally and still waits for us to accept His daily invitation to be with Him.
Pause and Listen to the Lesson of the Hour
From the earliest Christian times, the first hour of the day starts with praise. Themes are new light and celebrating the gift of another day.
The mystical poet Rumi writes, “ The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you; don’t go back to sleep.”
Just as our bodies awaken, so does our spirit as we pause and open our eyes to the world around us.
Stretch and Grow
Of all the seven pauses this is one I practice regularly. As I learn more about the divine hours, it is fun to explore various prayers patterns from books and the internet. Trying different routines and forms of prayer energizes the start of my day.
What needs to be awakened in our soul today? What can we see and be thankful for that we take for granted? Is there a new flower blooming in the garden? What new taste will tickle my tongue today?
Here are some quotes to ponder:
“Set the clock of your heart for dawn’s arrival. Taste the joy of being awake.” Macrina Wiederkehr
“Creator of the Dawning Sun, draw me with your eternal energy. Filter your transforming glow through every inner fiber of mine until I am transparent with the power of your enlightening beauty.” Joyce Rupp
“Bathed in morning light, pray that the lantern of your life moves gently this day into all those places where light is needed” Marina Wiederkehr
When you wake tomorrow, try drenching that first moment in praise and prayer for the new day. Good Morning, God!
Great thoughts Jeanie. You mean I should try to think of calm in the morning, instead of hurry up and let the dog out and get breakfast ready? 🙂 I really do like morning time especially if I’ve had enough sleep.
I like the verse, “His mercies are new every morning.”
Oh, pick up your award at my blog.
Hi Jeanie!
Hope you had a great writing conference. I’d love to hear about it!
I had never heard of the “daily office” until our small group leader explained it to us a few months ago.
I think it is beautiful. I always get up and pray and do quiet time first thing in the morning, but I don’t take the time to savor and praise Him enough. Thank you for some good thoughts to incorporate in my prayer and praise time. We can never stop working on our worship!
OH Jean! You have “hit” me here. What a great post! I will be looking forward to the next “time” I am to pause. Thanks for posting my book. Clella