Prayer Is Natural

In the midst of the morning I had the thought that it's "time" to pray.  Interesting how sometimes pryaer can start to feel mechanical.

But then I turned to that "Sacred Space" site and here is what it says:

Rain waters the earth, making it bring forth and sprout…. The whole creation is groaning in travail… A sower went out to sow. We are reminded that prayer is not a lifestyle option, or a mechanical technique, but something natural to all creatures, like breathing out and breathing in, like metabolising our food, like the process of growth which we achieve without knowing how we do it.

Prayer is natural... like breathing.  That's exactly what I needed to hear today.  I don't want something mechanical or forced.  I just want to breathe God in... and live my life with him.

Prayer is natural... I realize that this can be an excuse to subtly turn my heart toward other things, this morning, and just get busy with the day.  I don't want to do that either.  So, I wait...

Prayer is natural... I remind myself that real prayer is not something I do.  I still usually think of prayer that way.  It's me doing it.  It's an activity that I engage in.  The reality is that real prayer-- real breathing God's life in and communing with Him is NOT something I can just do.  At most, I can create space in my life for it.  It's a divine activity that He sparks.  I don't do it, I receive the grace of communion with God-Creator-Life-Spirit-Crucified One.  At best I can open myself.  The flood of life and communion that follows (if I have indeed opened myself to HIm) is in me by His graciousness, power, and desire for me.

Prayer is natural... "I remind myself that there are things God has to teach me yet, and ask for the grace to hear them and let them change me (another quote from Sacred Space)."  Being open to God also involves being open to how He wants to change and lead me...  This willingness causes me to work in harmony with His "natural" power that is working and flowing in me.

Prayer is natural... and it's Person to person... no longer mechanical this morning.  It's simple, powerful communing with the real Person of Jesus.  At least, I've made the transition for the moment.

Comments

[Mark Chamberlin]

What a powerful metaphor for prayer: "...like the process of growth which we achieve without knowing how we do it." To compare prayer to the natural process of breathing and to describe it in terms of "breathing in God" captures my imagination.

I checked out the "Sacred Space" website and was very impressed. It offers a very meaningful way to place myself in God's presence and to view myself and my life in the light of God's grace.

I am thankful for the opportunity to experience this site.

[jmccrimmon]

Sometimes I think prayer is regarded as fuel in an engine. As if it makes us GO somewhere. St John of the Cross desired nothing but to be alone with God. Is there anything wrong with spending your life waiting on God in prayer?