Making
Time for Prayer
“The
function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the
nature of the one who prays.”
Soren
Kierkegaard
These
are praying days, my friend. With half the world up in flames, a
raging el nino in the Pacific, and a dark trickster running for
leader of the “free world”, we need some divine intervention
here. Perhaps Vladimir Nabokov's prayer is best, “Dear Jesus, do
something.” I don't know if you're a praying person or not, but if
you are, now's the time.
Taking
a long view of human history, I realize this is not our darkest hour,
but it's dark enough to warrant all of us following Abraham Lincoln's
example: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the
overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom
and that of all around me seemed insufficient for that day.”
Just
as I don't believe God to be a super-human up in the sky, I don't
believe that Superman-God will reach down and make the necessary
adjustments here on earth. What I do believe is that the energy of
masses of people praying can change the world soul from hatred and
destruction to calmness and peace. Prayer calms us; prayer turns
rampant cynicism and mistrust, into inner peace. And, no matter what
you're facing, inner peace helps you to navigate with wisdom. “The
more you pray, the less you panic...You'll feel more patient and less
pressured.” (Rick Warren)
Prayer
is a spiritual practice we need today and every day. No matter what
you call the Divine Presence, connect with your whole body/mind and
ask for help for the world. I know we're busy people, but prayer can
be done at any time. I'll leave you with the words of Martin Luther:
“I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in
prayer.”
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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