Prayer, Acceptance, Openness.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, June 7, 2018

 

Prayer, Acceptance, Openness.

What profound insights Father Nouwen has. Seriously, at times his words penetrate deep inside me. Like, tonight.

He speaks of prayer being acceptance, if one is experiencing deep silence. This is rare for me, since I am so wordy. Lectio divina is one of my favorite prayer methods, as is Ignatian prayer. Both depend strongly on the use of words, Bible reading and sometimes written responses. However—I have experienced deep, silent prayer. Meditation is a challenge for me, but I have done it. It’s like writing with my left hand. (Yes, I am right handed.) I can do it, but writing with my non-dominant hand is a challenge, even difficult at times.

Yet, I immediately understood what Father Nouwen was talking about. If one experiences deep silence, prayer can very well mean acceptance. But, that is not all. “Prayer creates that openness where God can give himself to us. Indeed, God wants to give himself;” [1] Now, this is more difficult for me to believe. God wants to give Himself to us? To me?

But, wait. Father Nouwen clarifies, and explains further. “This openness, however, does not simply come of itself. It requires our confession that we are limited, dependent, weak, and even sinful.” [2]

Oh, yes, I am more than ready to admit that I am not God. (I am very familiar with the Recovery Program, which talks about that very thing. I am—one is—most certainly not God, no matter how much one might want to think that is the case. Or, feel rather omnipotent.) Yes, this does make one feel vulnerable. However, if God is right by my side, I will not feel as lost and alone. Or as vulnerable and small.

Thank You for Father Nouwen’s wonderful words, dear God. Just what I needed tonight.

[1] With Open Hands: Bring Prayer into Your Life, Henri J. M. Nouwen (United States of America: Ave Maria Press, 1972), 25.

[2] Ibid, 26.

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Attitude of Gratitude, in Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – January 18, 2015

Attitude of Gratitude, in Prayer

Yesterday, we (along with our trusty prayer guide, Rev. Howell) looked at praise. Considered different ways to praise God in prayer. Today, we take a look at gratitude. How to be grateful. Or is it, how to be thankful?

Grateful and thankful do not have exactly the same meanings. But—their definitions do overlap. The meaning of grateful has many similarities to the meaning of thankful. I have friends and acquaintances who periodically write out their gratitude lists. Which is incredibly similar to their thankfulness lists, coincidentally.

However—sometimes I don’t want to be grateful. Sometimes I cross my arms over my chest, stick out my lower lip, and pout. What’s more, perhaps the “attitude of gratitude” is such a challenge to us Americans because of the strong streak of independence that runs deep within so many Americans.

I was particularly struck by this quote from Rev. Howell’s book: “The ancient Israelites enjoyed a huge advantage over us in terms of feeling grateful. Lacking technology and financial security, they knew they were utterly dependent upon God for their bread (if they had any bread), for shelter (if they had any shelter), for taking that next breath, for the sunshine and rain.” [1]

Thank God I have these flashbacks. Or, insights.Thank You, God.

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Why not visit my sister blog, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

[1] James C. Howell, The Beautiful Work of Learning to Pray, (Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press: 2003), 61.