The Melody of Lent

If you can't pray like Peter

If you can't preach like Paul

Go home and tell your neighbor

He died to save us all

Yesterday, we talked about prayer.  Prayer is one of those topics that gets tossed and thrown around.  Beyond saying that you should pray, do we ever try to describe what prayer feels like?  Sounds like?  Smells or tastes like?  Prayer is more than folding your hands and bowing your head.  Prayer is more than a monologue we lob at God.  Prayer is an encounter and experience of the divine.

Re-read that last sentence again, please.

An encounter, a sense that the Spirit is hovering and hanging around.  We trust the holy is near.

An experience, something we can taste or touch or hear or feel.

Of the divine – that God is everywhere.

Prayer happens all the time in our lives.  Prayer can be brushing your teeth, eating, walking, sitting in silence, listening to music, talking to a friend, reading the Bible or a book.  You can fill in the blank of other moments.

At the heart of prayer is attention and intention.

Attention – that you are open to God moving in your midst.

Intention – that you set your gaze toward God to move in your midst.

This is why I suggested listening to music as a prayer practice for Lent this year.  It is a different form, but one I believe we can all find meaning in.  Today, listen again to your piece of music for this week, either the hymn I am reflecting on, or the one you selected.  Slowly savor each note, every word, and then repeat.  Repeat again until the Holy Spirit revives your soul again.

Prayer: Composer and conductor of my life, help me find Your rhythm in this day I pray.  Amen.