Can I Pray This Way?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, May 23, 2019

Can I Pray This Way?

What a question! As I consider praying in the Ignatian way, I remember the times I vividly experienced this way of prayer. Contemplative, imaginative, experiential prayer. But—will it work for me, this time?

I must admit up front: I am afraid. I am afraid that nothing will happen, this time. I am afraid of not paying sufficient attention to this type of prayer. I am afraid of being far from God. I am afraid my mind is so cluttered and full of chatter that I will not be able to focus. And, I am afraid that my heart is not right with God. This time.

Father Timothy mentions a woman who has similar fears and anxieties over praying in the Ignatian way, too. She follows those fears with: “When I reflect on the meaning of the Scripture, I have the sense that something will surface….there will be some little hold that allows me to enter the surface of the text and go in.” [1] I appreciate this woman’s witness to her experience.

Yes, I can pray. I do pray, in a conversational manner. I honestly enjoy talking with God! Except—it goes in cycles. I need to take this woman’s advice. She recommends patience and trust. I need to patiently try, try, and try again to work on Ignatian prayer.

Perhaps I ought to take the suggestions right here. One woman mentions a simple thing for her to imagine is the weather. [2] I realize the Bible does not go into depth, in terms of description. However, using Godly imagination with what I know of the weather in the area of Palestine is definitely a place to start.

Also, using as many senses as I can is a good suggestion. What can I hear from this passage? What do I see? Are there any smells? Can I taste anything? These are all places for me to start to begin Ignatian contemplation. Even if I am afraid of having my prayer stall out.

Dear Lord, thank You for providing different ways to approach You. You want above all to be in communication with Your children. It doesn’t matter how we do it, just that we do it regularly. Help me to come to You with Ignatian prayer and contemplation, even though I am afraid. Amen.

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[1] Meditation and Contemplation: An Ignatian Guide to Praying with Scripture, Timothy M. Gallagher, OVM (United States of America: Crossroad Publishing, 2008), 41.

[2] Ibid.

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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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

Prayer, Beginning and Ending

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Prayer, Beginning and Ending

This is an in-between time for me. In between summer and back to school. In between the summer vacation-time schedule and the busier fall schedule. In between, not quite this, and not quite that.

I met with a good friend of mine. I pray for her. She is in an uncomfortable in-between time, herself. Please, lift up my friend. Pray with me for her financial well-being.

One of my daughters is just beginning her school year. Such a busy time for her! I pray for my daughter as she embarks on this last year of school, with all the work that entails. Please pray with me, that she may have focus, yet not forget about fun.

I am concerned about a new friend. She is about to begin a new thing, and she needs continuing support, encouragement, and more prayers. Blessings on her! (And, more prayers.)

Last, I pray for a good friend who has a birthday! What wonderful things birthdays are. Beginning a whole new year, yet in the middle of life. What an opportunity to celebrate my dear friend. God, bless my friend richly! Not only today, but all year long, in every aspect of life.

And, bless my husband. Watch over him, and help him at his work. Encourage him in his personal life. Give us both enjoyment as he and I live life. Help us live life to the fullest, as we are in the middle of things. Yet, just at the jumping off point.

Dear God, no matter where we are in life, whether at the beginning, at an ending, or in the middle, listen to us. Dear God, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister 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

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

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

Center on Lord of Lords—Forever and Ever.

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

Center on Lord of Lords—Forever and Ever.

“And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”

That’s where I started with this Name of God. My word—Name of God for today is Lord of Lords. As soon as I began to center, I heard George Frederic Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” playing in my head. Not for too long. Only for a few minutes, but what a stirring beginning!

I transitioned into reflecting on the Name of God I chose. I almost chose “Lord.” Simply “Lord.” However, I know that “Lord” is not a name exclusive to God. It is also used in the Bible for people of a higher rank, or to whom people would like to show deference or even reverence. (Like God.) I wanted to choose a name that was used solely for God. That’s why I picked “Lord of Lords” for my Centering Prayer today.

Revelation 19:16 is the verse that is used for a portion of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” ‘On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”’ I was able to focus on “Lord of Lords,” and rest in that Name of God. Sporadically. My thoughts were still active, and still bounced around a bit from thing to thing. But all in all, I concentrated on—rested in the Name of God I chose for today.

Dear God, Lord of Lords, thank You for a good time of prayer. Thank You for Your kindness and grace towards me.

@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

Paying Attention to Soul and Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Paying Attention to Soul and Prayer

I love the book I am using as a guide in the month of June. I really do. But, you all don’t know quite what kind of book it is. So, Handbook for the Soul is a compilation, a complete change of pace. This new book traces different ways of relating to our souls. Today’s author lifted up paying attention.

Robert Fulghum wrote this message, for today’s chapter. Did anyone pay attention to what I wrote as I write this post?

Here is a pertinent paragraph: “Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary ‘paying-attention.’ This paying-attention gives meaning to my life. I don’t know who it was, but someone said that careful attention paid to anything is a window into the universe.” [1]

Fulghum then mentions, step by step, a typical day in his life. A day when he is allowed to nurture his soul, and find beautiful and satisfying things to do and say. Of course, he is not able to do all these things–to check them off an internal list every single day. It is then that his life might go off-track, mentally, emotionally and spiritually speaking. But—that’s okay. Sometimes those things happen.

I need to ask myself: do I pay attention to others? To myself? About what aspects of my work, my life, my very being? About which subjects should I say nothing?

Again, I mention something Fulghum wrote, at the end of this chapter: “I don’t expect that anyone’s life will be lived exactly according to plan. But I do expect that life will go well if I simply pay attention to the positives, as well as to the negatives, of the mixture that is in me and is in the rest of the world.” [2] Hopeful, positive words, indeed.

These are words that can nourish the soul, words of gentleness, encouragement and comfort. I think practically everyone deserves a little of this way of thinking (and acting!) each day. God willing, I might be able to be that kind of person.

@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] Handbook of the Soul, Richard Carlson and Benjamin Shield, editors. (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1995), 12.

[2] Ibid, 16-17.