Sitting in Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, January 2, 2017

Sitting in Prayer

While out of town a few days ago, I visited a bookstore. I picked up several books, including a slim volume called “How to Sit” by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk.

I practice yoga at least once a week, usually twice, and three times a week, when I can. This is so beneficial for me! I don’t follow the whole spiritual aspect, but I very much appreciate the focus and mindfulness part of yoga.

This reminds me: I tried to practice Centering Prayer in 2015, for a whole month, with fair-to-middling results. For those who do not know or are not as familiar, Centering Prayer involves simply being quiet before God. Centering one’s physical, spiritual and emotional selves. Some people choose a word or brief phrase to assist them in centering. Alas, I did not excel. (Far from it.) However, I tried my best—most of the time.

This new slim volume convinced me that I ought to try to sit and center again. So, I did. And, I will try again, for the next month.

Similar to when I practice yoga, my breath slowed. My mind cleared. I expressed a welcome to God, but not really in so many words. (Just a welcoming feeling.) I did not pray in words, as I do so often. (I am so dependent on words.) Yet, my prayer time was restful and quiet.

Just what I needed. Thank You, God.

@chaplaineliza

 

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Thou, Our Everlasting Joy

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, October 26, 2015

Thou, Our Everlasting Joy

I have difficulty with contemplative kinds of things. My mind is just too active. Last month, when I actually tried to pray using contemplative Centering Prayer, I did pray in that way each day in September. However, I did not have as fruitful a month as I have when I used some other prayer styles.

I chose a smaller portion: a piece of a prayer by E.B. Pusey (1800-1882). It concerns “For Thine Is the Kingdom” (Prayer 499, page 147) [1] The prayer is about Contemplation.

“Thou who hast loved us, make us to love Thee./Thou who hast sought us, make us to seek Thee,/Thou who, when lost, didst find us,/ Be Thou Thyself the way,/That we may find Thee/And be found in Thee,/Our only hope, and our everlasting joy.”

I get the feeling that God is the Lover, the Seeker, the Finder. God initiates. That goes along with my experience, as well as my beliefs.

I freely acknowledge that God is named as my Heavenly Parent several times in both the Old and New Testaments. As such, I (or, in several cases, the nation of Israel) happen to be referred to as a child. Hosea 11 even calls the Lord’s child (Israel) a toddler. And, I understand why. I am okay with that.

Dear Lord, I am so sorry I have such difficulty in contemplation. I can’t do it for very long. I know You have made different people for different things. I just know I have very little skill in contemplating and Centering Prayer.

I know some have found what they are good at! That is great. Bless them. I know I can’t center very easily … but thank You some people can. And, I especially thank You that some of these people find great joy and contentment in their centering and contemplation. Bless them.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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[1] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 147.

In the Beginning? Center on The Word.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, September 30, 2015

In the Beginning? Center on The Word.

The last day of September. My last day of Centering Prayer. My word of the day, my Name of God for today is Word. (As in, “The Word,” from the Gospel of John, chapter 1.)

I have always been strongly, deeply moved by this Name of God. (Or, preincarnate Name of the Son.) As I focused on The Word, John 1:1 kept running through my head.” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Surprisingly, I didn’t find myself focusing on the Logos, on the Greek word for The Word. Instead, I found myself centering on “the beginning” and then on before the beginning. What came before the beginning? What was here? (Or, there? Or, anywhere?)

I know, God was present before anything was created. And, I tend to gravitate towards images and imagery as well as sound. I thought of The Word being a spoken Word. And then, since I was contemplating “the beginning,” lo and behold! C.S. Lewis’s book The Magician’s Nephew popped into my head again, and the spoken Word morphed into Aslan singing the world containing Narnia into being!

How marvelous, actually seeing (in my mind’s eye, that is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth at work, creating the wonders and the glory of the worlds, and the solar systems, and the galaxies. Awe-inspiring does not even touch this.

And, that was what I centered on, today.

However, I am torn about finishing my month of Centering Prayer. Yes, relieved, since praying in this meditative way every day for a month was a huge stretch for me! (I am afraid I am not very good at this meditative style of prayer.) But, also partly unfulfilled. Or something. I am afraid I did not center or focus very well this month, at all. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being awful and 10 being stellar, I have the definite sense that I didn’t get much above a 3 on most days in September.

God, I’m sorry. I know You understand, but I’m still sorry. At least I was faithful, and I earnestly tried. I really did. And, thank You, Lord, for loving me anyhow, and listening to me as I pray. No matter what method I use or how I come before You.

@chaplaineliza

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Center on the Vine? Abide? Remain?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Center on the Vine? Abide? Remain?

I purposely chose a Name of God that has given me difficulty for years. This particular Name comes from John 15:5. My Name of God for today is Vine.

“⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” This is Jesus talking to the disciples in the Upper Room Discourse. I have had difficulty—for years and years!—with that simple word “abide.” For the life of me, I could not get the concept through my head. I kept going around and around. As far as John 15 was concerned, “abide” meant “remain.” And “remain” meant “reside.” Which also meant “abide.” Argh!!

I finally had a kind of a breakthrough while reading a bible commentary on John about two years ago. I can’t for the life of me remember which commentary this was, but the writer drew a comparison of camping versus building a proper house. When I abide in Christ, I am taking up residence, putting down roots. It is no fly by night kind of thing—unlike temporary camping, where I could set up a tent for a night or two, and be gone the next.

Since I had that breakthrough and now am better able to comprehend what Jesus was saying in John 15, I thought I might choose this particular Name.

One might think that the words Jesus used in this chapter might have helped me, or given me a mental picture. No. No such luck here. I have no idea why, but I have had difficulty with this image and this concept for years and years. (And I am usually a visual person!)

However, I persevere. I tried to center and focus with this Name of God. I even tried some Ignatian-prayer-type focus. Alas, I am not very good with this meditative type of prayer. Centering and focusing? Not right now, apparently. At least not today.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I did try to center and focus on You today. I wonder what You think of me as I founder and flounder about, in prayer? I did not have the sense that the Holy Spirit was as present as at other times. (I know, I very well could be wrong about that.) But I felt particularly un-focused. Dear Lord, the best I can say is that I tried. And, I hope that my prayers to You rise before You like incense. Thank You for listening.

@chaplaineliza

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Spirit of God, Help Me Center

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, September 28, 2015

Spirit of God, Help Me Center

When I pray, I sometimes ask for God’s help in praying. I know the Apostle Paul specifies in Romans 8 that the Spirit of God helps us even when we don’t know the words to pray. What about when my word—Name of God I chose for today is Spirit of God?

I was intrigued and moved by the Scripture reference paired with this Name of God: Genesis 1:2. I know that verse, and I know the image I saw in my mind, immediately upon shutting my eyes and beginning to center.

Genesis 1:2 says, “The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.” (The Amplified Bible translation.) This mentions how the Spirit of God—the Ruach ha Kodesh, or Holy Spirit—brooded over the unformed creation.

Immediately I saw Something (or Someone) in my mind, hovering over an ocean—and yet not an ocean. Brooding over some space that looked like a land mass, and yet was not, quite. That Spirit of God was moving with love in Her heart.

Oh, did I mention the word “Spirit” in Hebrew is feminine? That’s why I used a feminine pronoun, because otherwise the masculine/feminine word agreement won’t jive.

The second impression I received as I centered was that of the Creation of Narnia, in The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. As I saw Aslan beginning to sing, I also thought of the Spirit of God. Kind of a mash-up of narratives, I know, but it was way cool. In my mind, anyway.

Dear Holy Spirit, thank You for this gentle, loving time of prayer. I am so glad I focused, using this Name of God.

@chaplaineliza

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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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Center on a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, September 26, 2015

Center on a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Such a familiar passage, the second chapter of Luke. The angel announced to the shepherds, “¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Yes, another significant Name of God, in either the New Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures. My word—Name of God for today is Savior.

As I started to focus, meditate and center on the Name of God “Savior,” a parallel verse came to me. A verse I had considered earlier in the month, but another significant verse from just about this time. From the first chapter of Matthew: “²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Yes, “Savior” is a bit different from “He will save.” Also, from “Jesus” (or, Yeshua). But if I think of them in the mindset of a Hebrew word—or, the three-letter Hebrew base on which all of these variations on the word “Savior” are built—then we are looking at a close relationship between all of these cognates.

(Yes, biblical Hebrew is fascinating! Although, it has almost altogether slipped through my fingers. Almost all gone, alas. Sorry, Brooke. You did an excellent job as teacher. It’s me and my learning difficulty.)

Savior? Yes, Jesus. You came into the world to save me from my sins. To save Your people from their sins. Thank You. Thank You so much. For being my Savior, and Savior for my friends and family, too.

@chaplaineliza

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Center, Praise God for the Rock of Our Salvation

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, September 25, 2015

Center, Praise God for the Rock of Our Salvation

The Rock. Something quite solid about that Name of God! Solid, good foundation for me. And, for anyone else following at home, my word of the day, my Name of God for today is Rock.

I had difficulty concentrating or “getting down to business” today when I was praying. But once I got there, I did have an impression to report. I saw (or, felt) “Rock” as a refuge, or a place of respite and safety. This is not usually what happens when I pray. Quite the contrary! But that’s what happened today.

Yes, the verse that was mentioned in the list of Names of God is 1 Corinthians 10:4. And yes, this verse refers to the Rock being Christ. Which Rock? The Rock in the wilderness, the Rock that the people of Israel drank from during their wanderings for years.

Dear Lord Jesus, whether You are seen as the Rock from whom the miraculous water flowed in the wilderness, or the Rock of safety, of refuge, it doesn’t matter. You still are my Rock of salvation. Thank You for this passage from 1 Corinthians.

Thank You for the strong impression I received about You and Your character. You do keep us safe and secure. Just like a building’s foundation, just like the Rock in Psalm 18:3—“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

@chaplaineliza

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Focus on My Living Redeemer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, September 21, 2015

Focus on My Living Redeemer

I’m choosing a Name of God found in the Bible, my word of the day. My Name of God for today is Redeemer. So, I tried to center today on this Name. “Tried” being the operative word.

I love the Name of God I chose. The whole concept of Redeemer seems super-human, superhero. Larger than life. And, such an interesting place to find this Name of God. The book of Job, chapter 19 verse 25.

As I centered and focused on this Name, I didn’t have too much difficulty. But then, I started having random, interfering thoughts tromp through my head. And I mean, tromp! Not just tiptoe. I got upset at several thoughts. (The thoughts were particularly awkward and irritating, dredging up a situation from the past I thought was over with and done! Apparently, not.)

After sending up a quick pleading prayer, I was able to get back to my centering. For a little bit, anyway. Then, my questing mind started in. I know what my 21^st century concept of a Redeemer is. What was the concept of a “Redeemer” at the time the book of Job was written? This is probably the earliest book written. Their religious and theological understandings must have been fairly rudimentary, compared to the Jews at the time of the first century of the Common Era. Much less to religious and theological thought today.

And, those were just a few of the random thoughts that paraded through my head, interrupting the focusing, the centering that I was supposed to be doing.

Words, words, words! Dear Lord, I am sorry I have so much difficulty centering on a word. Resting in You. This meditative prayer is such a challenge. Yet, I persevere. Thank You, God, for such a meaningful word, such a Name of God as Redeemer.

@chaplaineliza

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Focus, Center on Potter. And Pray!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, September 21, 2015

Focus, Center on Potter. And Pray!

Wow. I mean, really wow. (That was different!)

The Name of God I chose was taken from the Book of Isaiah. My word—Name of God for today is Potter.

I especially gravitated toward this Name to use with Centering Prayer, since the idea of God as Potter has been meaningful to me for a number of years. Yet, once I started praying and meditating, I immediately began to pray for several people. And, I mean strong and deep intercessory prayer. For one person, primarily, although also for two others, as well.

Instead of resting in God, and resting in the Name I had chosen, I found myself praying for these dear ones.

I guess the intercession was important. I hadn’t realized how important it was until I started to contemplate God as Potter. God molding, shaping, with infinite skill and craftsmanship. It was then that I thought of these three dear ones. That was the first time in all of these days since October started that I felt strongly called to intercession during my time of Centering Prayer.

After I began to pray for these people, I thought I may as well pray for myself. So, I began to ask God to shape me, mold me after God’s will. Do with me as God wills. Take away my bondage to self, and allow God to work through me, in me. Use my hands, my feet, my lips and tongue, my fingers on the keyboard, the wheels on my car.

Yes, I realize this is not quite the quiet, focused Centering Prayer I strive for. I really try to be more meditative and less wordy. (Lord, You know how much of a challenge this is for me!!) However, this was the kind of prayer I ended up having today, for the time I set aside with God.

Thanks, God, for the worthwhile prayer time we had together. I know it wasn’t what I had originally planned, but that’s okay. That’s more than okay. It was the prayer time that I was led to, and there was some free and clear communication from me to You. Thank You! I am so happy it worked out like it did. Amen, Lord.

@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