Standing in the Need of Prayer

 

One of my favorite books on prayer is, “Altar in the World” by Barbara Brown Taylor.  She takes the topic of prayer from the confines of the church to the world around us; from bowing your head to opening your heart to your life.  Taylor’s book embraces the ancient wisdom that God shows up disguised as your ordinary, everyday life.  Some of the chapters in her book talk about waking up as a spiritual practice of prayer; paying attention (because where our attention goes there our energy flows); walking in creation; getting lost (which I do every day literally and metaphorically); being in community; ceasing from striving; feeling pain; and blessing others. 

 

Taylor is expanding our definitions and descriptions of prayer.  She is asking us to find other prayer postures for living in this world and that the world/creation/others join us in the work of prayer.  That prayer is not an isolated individual activity, but one that can be engaged collaboratively and collectively and cooperatively. 

 

In addition to the Taylor’s understandings of how prayer can be woven into the everyday moments of life, we might also think of singing as prayer or listening to music; or sitting in silence; talking to a friend; cooking; or even washing dishes can be a prayer practice (the last one was noted by Brother Lawrence as a way we can connect with God).  Prayer is about our attention and intention.  Prayer is an openness and curiosity and noticing that God is right here and now.  Prayer is directing our energy to be in cahoots with the Divine. 

 

When was the last time you noticed you were in the presence of the Eternal?

When was the last time you cultivated and created space to awaken to the Creator?

 

This is not a test, by the way.  Nor is there shame or blame in those questions.  For many of us, our prayer life can be anemic or too academic or arbitrary/haphazard.  This is true for me.  Prayer can be a habit we slowly cultivate and curate.  The point is not for us to say, “I am totally going to pray 20 minutes now and go on a silent retreat this summer and by the end of the year should be able to levitate.”  What if today, right now, you took one minute (or thirty seconds or ten seconds) to notice your breathing?  What if right now, you opened a tab on your computer to YouTube and listened to a piece of music that sets your soul stirring/swirling?  What if you sung along?  What if you went out for a walk around the neighborhood just listened to the birds and wind stirring through the trees?  What if as you washed dishes today you gave thanks for warm water, played with the bubbles (let your inner 6-year-old loose), and held the goodness of the meal you just ate. 

 

The intention and attention being open to God here and now…that is prayer wherever you are.

 

God thank you for being here in this moment.  Thank you for Your presence that holds and enfolds me in this less-than-perfect moment.  Thank you for Your grace that gives strength.  Thank you for Your love that offers an ocean depth of meaning.  Thank you for Your creativity that reminds me that You are not finished yet.  Let these words guide and ground me in the living of this day. Amen.