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by David Peterman, Jr.
I do not think that I have ever taught on the subject of Prayer. I think this is in part because of the immaturity that I feel on the subject. But despite my perceived immaturity, I have continued to endeavor, aided by Lawson Taite as my Pastoral Companion and Fr. Stephen as my Spiritual Director.
My sharing this afternoon is based on reading and practice with a book entitled Prayer: Our Deepest Longing by Ronald Rolheiser. Copies are available on the book table if you are interested. For those who were here last Sunday, this is the same book from which Laurie read the last chapter.
I try to pray in the morning, a time when I am alert. I find a quiet comfortable place and try to focus on the Lord and not let the business of the day distract me. Candidly, much of my “prayer time” is consumed with focusing on God, being distracted and then refocusing. I agree with a statement that the author makes that,
“Prayer (as with love) is only easy for beginners and saints.”
For the rest of us, we have to persevere. Each of us has to find our own routine and make it the most important thing we do all day.
What struck me in the early chapters of this book was his explanation that Prayer was about “experiencing the unconditional love of God,” that the objective of prayer was to “open us up in such a way that we can hear God say to us: ‘I love you!’”
This was a revelation to me. I had never thought of prayer as: being open to God saying “I Love You.” I decided to give it a try. For many mornings during my quiet time, I allowed my thoughts to wander toward ways that God might be saying “I love you.” Over the course of the week I was shown my heartbeat, breath, all 5 senses, my health, Laurie, my girls, my extended family, community, job, friends, home, AC, sunlight, flowers, many, many people and things that I take for granted, and not seen the heavenly “I Love You!”
Another statement that struck me was,
“Prayer is about lifting our minds AND hearts to God. It is about Love not Insight.”
This was an extension of the earlier point about being open to God saying I love you. The exhortation I heard was to prioritize lifting my heart to Him and not focus on mental learning. My self-examination revealed that I spend a lot of time reading and learning rather than just being in His presence. I have tried to adjust my time to DO less and BE more -- trying to just sit quietly in His presence, open to Him.
Those who know me well understand that it is hard for me to be still. I am always working on the next thing on my To Do list. Maybe my greatest struggle in prayer is seeking solitude. But this is an essential step of prayer. The author states,
“Solitude is not something we turn on like a water faucet. It needs a body and mind slowed enough to be attentive to the present moment. We are in solitude when, as Thomas Merton describes it, we fully taste the water we are drinking, feel the warmth of our blankets, and are restful enough to be content inside our own skin.”
Recently I have tried to put this into practice, trying to slow down enough to notice people and things that I normally miss. For me it does not come naturally but as I have practiced it, I can see progress. For me, after I begin to experience a degree of solitude, the next big challenge is to be content to just remain silent in His presence.
The author reminds that it is OK to experience boredom and distraction. Our response is to preserve and refocus. We do, however, need to be open to the “distraction” of a prompting from Holy Spirit. We will recognize Him in the call to Holiness, Humility, Selflessness, and Joy. If so, have pen and paper nearby and jot down a note and continue seeking solitude.
After starting with a short time of unprompted reflection it is recommended that we read a short passage from scripture (random, from the Gathering, Mass, or devotional) and then ponder/reflect/mediate. It is such a joy for me when the Lord brings opportunities during the day to use or share the insight from that morning’s reflection.
My final comment is what I have most recently been working on -- being open to this experience throughout the day. I was humbled when another brother in Community paused in a conversation to suggest we stop and pray for wisdom. Why, yes, I should be taking more of my every-day decisions, including where I spend my time and what I say, to the Lord for discernment. Regardless of what percentage I did that yesterday, can I do it a few percent more today?
The last chapter, which Laurie read last week, paints a wonderful mystical image of the beloved disciple, reclining on the breast of Jesus: “his ear on Jesus’ heart looking out into the world.” The ideal disciple, our objective, is to be the one who is attuned to Christ’s heartbeat and sees the world with that sound in our ear. Prayer, our deepest longing, is our journey to place our ear that close to Jesus, seeing the world as He does. AMEN
This handout will help you with the structure of your prayer time:
An Approach to Prayer
- Choose a time of the day when you are alert, find a quiet comfortable place and consider setting an alarm so you are not distracted by the time.
- Begin with Prayer, Praise, Song -- whatever enables you to turn your focus away from the day and enter God’s presence.
- Start with an offering prayer. There are many formulas or just use words of dedication where you offer the day and especially this time up to God and pledge your desire that everything you do and say this day be inspired by His presence and calling.
- Seek solitude. This can involve saying the Jesus prayer or focusing on a candle or icon or just closing your eyes. Allow yourself to become comfortable with the stillness of your surroundings and focus on God. If you become bored or distracted, simply refocus on God and His love for you.
- Begin with an unprompted silence open to God saying, “I love you.” Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you and reveal the Father’s love. During this time be content to just be in His presence. Lift you heart to Him and just sit quietly in His presence.
- After a time of unprompted reflection read a short passage from scripture (random, from the Gathering, Mass, or devotional) and then ponder/reflect/mediate. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring thoughts to mind that might be a communication of love or joy.
- When the time you have set aside is over, offer the balance of your day to Him and attempt to be present to Him throughout the day as often as possible.
(Community Gathering, October 3, 2015)