Praying
"You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance....
"You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance."
Kahlil Gibran
Too often prayer is associated with times of difficulty and as a response to specific need. There are other times to pray than when we are I need, and additional forms of prayer than those which are petitions for help. Personal devotional prayer, similar to a poem, is a form of expressing ones love and appreciation for all-that-is. It neither asks for anything, nor does it complain and cry out for help. It is a practice of describing all that is holy, good and beautiful. Performed daily on a regular schedule, it is a most satisfying practice and serves as a infusion of energy and appreciation. William Law wrote “He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.” Whatever you might have been praying for, consider today writing a poem about the Presence, or simply expressing what you love about the state of being alive, and call that your prayer for today.
Kahlil Gibran
Too often prayer is associated with times of difficulty and as a response to specific need. There are other times to pray than when we are I need, and additional forms of prayer than those which are petitions for help. Personal devotional prayer, similar to a poem, is a form of expressing ones love and appreciation for all-that-is. It neither asks for anything, nor does it complain and cry out for help. It is a practice of describing all that is holy, good and beautiful. Performed daily on a regular schedule, it is a most satisfying practice and serves as a infusion of energy and appreciation. William Law wrote “He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.” Whatever you might have been praying for, consider today writing a poem about the Presence, or simply expressing what you love about the state of being alive, and call that your prayer for today.
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1 comments :
So true.
ReplyI frequently emphasize this perspective prior to our guest-Practitioner led treatment in Youth Church.
To our 4-7 year old small ones I might say something like:
“if something special or wonderful happened this week, and/or you just want to say thank you to the Universe/Spirit/All That Is, or perhaps there is something you experienced and would like more of in your life, our Guest Practitioner is here to help you send your statement out loud with a special oomph…” -Tracy