Breathe, Center, Pray.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, January 14, 2017

Breathe, Center, Pray.

Breathe. Just breathe. Big breath in, big breath out. Slowly.

This suggestion works for so many things. When you are afraid or fearful. Or, when you feel anxiety creeping up to get you. Perhaps, if you are angry and you need to cool down. Or, when you would like to calm yourself and focus.

As I said, this really does work. Slowing the breath seems to lengthen out time. Another suggestion? Keep track of your breaths. Slowly, slowly. Don’t cry or speed up or—especially—if you wish to find calmness, stillness, serenity, even.

If we pay attention to breathing, we can get down to the very foundation of life. The overarching principle remains the same.

Breathe. Calm yourself. Slow down and let yourself fill with all good things as you breathe in. Slow down further, breathe out, and let go of all anxiety, fear, anger. Let go, and breathe out everything negative.

Now you are in a much better place to connect with God. Reaching your Higher Power can happen at any time, true. However, breathing deeply, in and out, certainly helps us to center and concentrate.

Now, center. Now, pray. Now, serenity. Thanks, God.

@chaplaineliza

 

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Meditate, Pray, Be Present.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, January 12, 2017

Meditate, Pray, Be Present.

“The quality of our presence is the most positive element that we can contribute to the world.” [1]

Rushing around and trying to get things done can be counterproductive. If I am striving to rush-rush, hurry-hurry, all the time, I can’t possibly pay full attention to what is right in front of my nose.

I’ve watched people scurry around, like chickens with their heads cut off. People have various motivations. (Money is a powerful motivator. And often, quite necessary. But, that necessary?)

Power and control are two more familiar motivators. Oh, so familiar! And, who wouldn’t want to put “accomplishment!” down as yet another motivator of activities? Of purpose? Of

Even worthy, spiritual people who meditate and pray regularly can be off-kilter in their motivation. As our author says, even super-spiritual people can get off track and act like a person who doesn’t know the first thing about being spiritual. Or meditation. Or prayer.

I know something about the quality of presence. I’ve experienced it. I’ve learned a great deal from chaplain work. There in my interactions, sometimes, I desperately needed to center myself and rely on presence. Less-anxious presence. And, people expressed their gratitude and thanks, if not to me, then in letters sent to the pastoral care department.

The ministry of presence is also useful—sensible—needful—in my current position, as a small church’s pastor. Also, in the other parts of my life. I owe a great deal of thanks to the people in my life who staffed those hospitals and care centers, as well as those who added to my practice in developing the Ministry of Presence. Even though sometimes, it can be difficult, and challenging. Even well nigh impossible.

Thanks to them all. And most of all, thanks to God. Alleluia!

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] How to Sit, Thich Nhat Hanh. (Berkeley, California: Parallax Press, 2014), 25.

Slow Down—Find Our Center

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Slow Down—Find Our Center

“What does my heart have to say today?” [1]

This little daily meditation book hit the nail on the head for me, today! Yes, I need to examine my words. Yes, I need to slow down and take the time necessary to even think about examining my words! And, yes, “we can also hear our spirit in the tone of our words.” [2]

What am I hearing as I examine the words I say to others? How are others receiving my words? Are my words gentle, peaceful, cautious, or hurtful? Do I offer them with love? Or, with anger? Do I say them quietly and slowly, or all-in-a-hurry?

When I intentionally slow down, I find myself listening better. Listening more closely. When I intentionally slow down, I view life with more clarity. And, I view life around me with less in the way. When I intentionally slow down, my breathing becomes deeper, more regular. My breathing helps me to relax and let go of tension within.

And—we arrive at meditation. Isn’t meditation part of Step Eleven? (Yes, I think it is. In fact, I know it is.) Meditation is a fancy word for listening. Not only listening with my body, but listening with my heart, mind, and soul. Listening for what my Higher Power—God as I understand God—has for me, today.

Today’s reading suggests to me that I slow down today. That sounds to me to be excellent advice for any day. Slow down. Then, all of the possibilities I just listed above become opportunities for me and my life. Today.

I can speed up again later. Maybe, tomorrow. Just for today, I’ll slow down. Breathe.

Meditate. Breathe. Listen to God.

Thank You, God.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Keep It Simple: Daily Meditations for Twelve-Step Beginnings and Renewal. (Hazelden Meditation Series) (San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1989), November 3 reading.

[2] Ibid.

Who is The Son of David? Center, Focus.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, September 27, 2015

Who is The Son of David? Center, Focus.

I was drawn to the Name of God “Son of David.” It comes from one of my most favorite Gospel passages. So, you better believe I chose it for Centering Prayer. My Name of God for today is Son of David.

There are a number of places in the New Testament where this Name is used to designate Jesus, but I can never forget Mark 10:47. In Jericho, Blind Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Because of his persistence and noise-making, Bartimaeus was healed. Jesus did indeed have mercy upon him.

Son of David. Designated as the Name of God. I was able to get down to centering with little trouble. I was even able to keep my mind (mostly) centered and focused on “Son of David.” In my mind, I saw Bartimaeus sitting by the side of the road. (But I did not hear him cry out. Just saw him sitting there. As if in a documentary.)

I couldn’t help but think of the miracle of sight that Jesus brought to Bartimaeus. How am I blind, today? In what ways? How are the other believers blind, today? Where are they short-sighted? How much do we need a touch from the Messiah, the Son of David.

How many blind, deaf and otherwise disabled people did Bartimaeus know? Why was he the chosen to be healed over another blind or deaf or other disabled person? Dear Lord, gracious Son of David, I won’t be able to know or understand. But I thank You for Bartimaeus and his bold witness to You and Your Messianic Name. Touch me. Heal my blindness and short-sightedness, today. Thank You, dear Messiah Jesus.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Centering on the Holy One

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, September 14, 2015

, Holy

Centering on the Holy One

For today, I chose a Name of God from the Bible that is simple and profound. This is my word of the day for Centering Prayer. My word—Name of God for today is Holy One.

This Name comes from Isaiah 49, and incorporates the Hebrew word for holy, or “kodesh.” Some years ago I had the most difficulty figuring out exactly what “holy” meant. I knew it was a Name of God. I knew it referred to things that were of God. But, I had a radical sense of disconnect between me and a clear idea of that definition.

So, I dug more deeply. I tried to understand.

Now, I think I have come to some sort of wider understanding of the multi-faceted definition at “holy.” Holy can also be “set apart.” In the case of God, God is so far above us humans, I can well imagine how God is set apart.

When I began praying, I thought of the prophet writing those words. What did he mean by them? I kept bringing myself back to the Name “Holy One,” and I kept thinking first one thing, then another.

I am surprised that this well-known image from Isaiah—seeing God high up and in the Temple, with the seraphim flying around, saying “Holy, holy, holy!”—surprised that it did not come to mind. That’s one of my favorite biblical images. Sure, it’s terrifying. Sure, I feel like hiding my face before that idea of God! But that’s what I’m supposed to do. That’s how I am supposed to feel. God, I come before You in gratitude for my salvation and also in awe of Your majesty, power and set-apartness. You are so glorious. I can only fall before You in awe. Thank You, God, for this new (to me, that is) verse. A new look, and a fresh expression of Your glory.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Comforter? Center Myself in the Name.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, September 6, 2015

Comforter? Center Myself in the Name.

So much to pray about today! So, so much. Even more than usual. As I used Centering Prayer today, I had a challenge to stop these other—quite worthy—prayer requests and concerns from interrupting me. Yes, centering was important. And, I have made the commitment to use Centering Prayer each day in September. But, all those prayer requests . . .

The word I chose for today was so fitting. (A Name of God found in the Bible. I’m using that for my word of the day.) My word—Name of God for today is Comforter.

I had all the listed requests to pray for from my church this morning. And, I also had several new requests. People seriously ill. People whose dear ones died. People in transition. And, that’s just the people close to home. Then, there are the serious situations further away. The refugees in Europe lead the way here. I feel for them so much. I am a mom. I can hardly even imagine just a little of what it must be like to have little ones and growing ones in such desperate situations.

So, as I tried diligently to center with the dear Name of Comforter, the impression that kept returning to me was that of coming alongside. Isn’t that comforting? Isn’t that what a Comforter does? (Or, at least, tries to do?)

I checked the reference attached to Comforter. (John 14:26) This word or Name of God is particular to the King James Version. The other versions I looked at have either Advocate or Helper. The Greek word is parakleto. One who pleads or intercedes for another, or defends the cause of another. That is more than just a Comforter. It’s so much more. I have a God who is so much more, too. Thank You, God!

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Reconciled—Enemies Become Friends

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 20, 2015

Reconciled—Enemies Become Friends

Today at the New Wilmington Mission Conference was awesome. Or, should I say, tonight. I had the privilege to hear not only Dr. Ken Bailey teach on the Good Shepherd this morning in bible study hour, but then our older speaker gave the message in evening meeting tonight.

A Palestinian Christian, he gave a vivid, first-hand account of his experiences in 1948. He told how he went from being a happy boy in his home town to becoming a refugee with his large family—all in a few hours. To hear this man relate what had happened to him and his family, as well as hundreds of other Palestinian families in 1948, broke my heart.

My topic for the night and for this post is reconciliation. The evening meeting highlighted the Sabeel Center (for faith, justice and reconciliation). Just think—the loving, spacious concept of reconciliation between Jews and Palestinians was lifted up. What is more, the Sabeel movement has worked tirelessly for years in this effort. Amazing.

How much more does Jesus reconcile me to Himself? As I read through these modern verses from this modern psalm, I was especially struck by a particular verse from Colossians 1: “You have rescued me from the power of darkness/and transferred me into the kingdom of Your Son.” [1]

This book, Praying the New Testament as Psalms, humbles me. Ordinarily, I am floored when I heard about reconciliation work between various groups in South Africa. Or the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda. However, this precious word stands for so much more, when it comes to God. Such amazing grace Boundless, given freely.

Dear God, thank You for your gift of salvation. Thank You for the awesome power of Your reconciling love. Amen and amen.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 162.