My New Favorite Definition of Prayer

Prayer is not about trying to get God to listen to us.  

Nor is it about trying to make God 

spend more time with us.  

Prayer is about sharpening our awareness of God 

who is already in us and around us, 

present in every moment and every activity of the day.  
…
Prayer is not about

finding the right words to say to God, 
it is about

becoming alive to the loving presence of God 

in each and every moment.

It is about waking up to the fact that

the love of God shines through every act,

every object and every situation.

Returning to Our Senses: Imagining How We Pray
by Christine Sine

I just downloaded the sample version of this book on my iPad.  After reading only a couple of pages, I knew it was a book that I wanted to add to my paper and ink library.  I am eagerly waiting its arrival in the mail.  I am sure you will see more posts about the book on this blog.

A Blessing for the Senses

Visual Prayer Using Orthodox Icons

Above is the oldest known icon of Christ (Christ Pantocrator).

6th Century

Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mt. Sinai, Egypt

"One of the odd things that has happened to prayer in much of Western Christianity — in some churches with the Reformation, in others more recently — has been the drastic erosion of the physical dimension of spiritual life.  Prayer has become mainly an activity of the head.  Many of us have become like birds trying to fly with one wing. Icons can help us grow back the missing wing, the physical aspect of prayer."  Praying with Icons from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition by Jim Forest

Using Our Sense of Touch as A Tool for Prayer

As a Christian, I often struggle with staying focused when I pray. My mind seems to easily wander until I find myself thinking about things I have to do, things I want to do, things in the past, etc.  I must also confess that, if I am tired, I even fall asleep.  Many other Christians I talk to confess to the same experiences.  At times, our minds seem to have minds of their own.

For centuries, Christians have used prayer beads to engage the body, mind, and spirit in prayer.  Prayer beads hold no magical powers; they are simply tools to help us focus our mind toward God.  

As we move our fingers over the beads as we pray, we activate our sense of touch.  This act helps us retain our focus on prayer and, if our mind wanders, it helps remind us of our intention to pray.

A Visual Prayer - In the Shadow of Your Wings

In the Shadow of Your Wings

by Daniel Gerhartz

Daniel Gerhartz a renowned Wisconsin artist.

John Michael Talbot - Healer Of My Soul

Last night I have the privilege of hearing John Michael Talbot live.  His music has been inspirational to me since I was in high school.  (That is over thirty years ago.  Oh my!)  I invite you to click on the arrow in the link below, close your eyes, and pray along.



Healer of my soul

Keep me at even'
Keep me at morning
Keep me at noon
Healer of my soul

Keeper of my soul
On rough course faring
Help and safeguard my means this night
Keeper of my soul

I am tired, astray, and stumbling
Shield my soul from the snare of sin

Healer of my soul
Heal me at even'
Heal me at morning
Heal me at noon
Healer of my soul

http://www.justsomelyrics.com/567324/john-michael-talbot-healer-of-my-soul-lyrics.html

What is Prayer?

As I have been looking for a quote or bible verse to add to the title of this blog about prayer, I am having trouble choosing just one.  Many have written and talked about what prayer is in beautiful and meaningful ways.  However, none that I have found see to be broad enough to encompass everything.

There is a quote from Billy Graham that says:

Prayer is simply a two-way conversation with you and God.

I like that quote.  The only thing that it excludes for me is when I have experienced a connection with God, that I cannot express with words.  Does a conversation need to include words?  Maybe not.  Animals converse with each other, but not in the same language we speak.

The word that comes to me instead of "conversation" is "connection."  But, I must acknowledge that a connection could be one-sided, which leaves the word "connection" lacking as well.

Aha.   Maybe a better word would be "communication."  Yet, that does not sound very personal.

Conclusion:  Billy Graham is a wise man.

Welcome to My Journey

I have researched experienced how God's gift of touch can help me stay focussed in prayer, through the use of prayer beads. 

Another ancient visual prayer form that has interested me is the Orthodox practice of praying with icons.   Music has always been a meaningful way for me to pray.   Just recently, I have experienced how essential oils can be used as tools for prayer as well.

With that, I have decided that it is time to make a commitment to explore other tools for prayer that use our senses--God's gift to us of the 5 senses. 

Here is where I will share my journey.