In Which I Stay Close To God

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, December 3, 2015

In Which I Stay Close To God

Henri Nouwen’s suggestion for today? Think more about God. Have a prayer at the ready. Pray “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” [1]

It makes so much sense. (As in, “duh!”)

I know that what I allow my mind to dwell upon is important to my spiritual state, as well as to my prayer life. I appreciate the example Fr. Nouwen gives, of waiting in line at the supermarket. Instead of getting upset or angry because I am waiting too long, I can choose to pray, instead. Moreover, despite labors or losses, despite positive or negative happenings in life, I can decide to look at things from a positive angle.

Instead of letting my mind be absorbed by or distracted by all “the garbage of advertisements,” I can choose to think of God. I “can decide what [my] mind will receive.”[2] I can try to look for opportunities to serve God and serve others. Encourage others, too.

God, instead of mean, nasty and thoughtless things, help me to concentrate on positive things, kind things, helpful things. Thanks for the help, God!

@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

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

[1] Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen (Linguori, Missouri: Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, 2004), 10.

[2] Ibid.

Afterword: About to Begin. Continue in Prayer.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – February 1, 2015

Afterword: About to Begin. Continue in Prayer.

I’ve finished 31 lessons in prayer. The Beautiful Work of Learning to Pray, by Rev. James Howell. There were 31 days in January, and I figured this would be a solid start to my Year of Everyday Prayers. I forgot about the Afterword.

Rev. Howell hopes this past month was a jumpstart to people’s prayer lives. (my words, not his—but the sentiment certainly is his!) I hope so, too. I am big on encouraging people to pray. Even though I stumble and fall often in this area of regular prayer, I know that when we all get together and encourage each other, prayer somehow works. Regularly.

I sent out the intercessory prayer email about an hour ago. Yes, I send out an email once a week to some friends. We have promised God and promised each other that we would pray regularly for these requests each week. So, this is what I facilitate each week.

As I understand from Rev. Howell—and as I’ve heard somewhere before, years ago—we never master prayer. We are always practicing. I’m okay with that. I know very well that I am no master! I admit I have had difficulty with regularity in prayer, for long periods of time in my several decades of life. God willing, God will bless my efforts in blogging about prayer.

Everyday prayer? Or praying every day? Either? Or, both!

Thank You, God, for helping me to pray.

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

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

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net