Friday, August 30, 2013

Surrendering Yourself in Prayer


As we pray, it would seem like we need to have a certain openness, not only to what the end result might be, but also during the actual time we are praying. We must be able to be fully present with God during this engaging and personal time.  I would once again refer to what Henri Nouwen wrote about prayer as taken from The Only Necessary Thing, compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer.

Nouwen writes:  "The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ."  Nouwen highlights the importance of finding a place of solitude where we can focus entirely on our experience with God.  Of course, we know there are many things that can enter our minds, maybe not related to what we want to bring before God.

Nouwen highlights the need here for surrender. I believe he means that I am willing to turn over my entire self to God in prayer
Let me offer some suggestions about surrender:
1. I will be honest about my situation, knowing that God knows me completely.
2. I will be willing to change to conform my life to what God desires.
3. I will be willing to admit my falling short of what God expected of me (repentance).
4. I will accept what God's will is for my life.
5. I will believe that God is one who desires nothing more than seeking the good that can come from me.

We may need to think about this openness, this surrender, as we do bring ourselves to a time of prayer.  What else might you add?

Friday, August 23, 2013

Scheduling Prayer Time

While we often think of prayer as being a standard component in worship or maybe as a spontaneous activity in our lives throughout the week, the activity of praying may come mainly when we are in crisis or have something for which we want to express thanks.  However, what if we were to schedule time of prayer throughout the week?

Henri Nouwen writes about such a discipline as described in The Only Necessary Thing, compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer. Nouwen says that we do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside time to be with God.  "We may have to write it in black and white in our daily calendar so that nobody else can take away this period of time."

What do you think about doing this in regard to prayer?  Are you that disciplined?  I know for myself, I usually have time for prayer after eating breakfast.  In a way it is sort of fixed time.  However, other times come more spontaneously when I want to give thanks or have a request.  I wonder, though, what if I were to put on my calendar a specific time when I was going to pray during the week?  I wonder if it would change the content of my praying? Would praying take on a new meaning?  Would it become more of a priority in my life? 

I will ponder Nouwen's suggestion some more.  I have the feeling it might change my relationship with God for the better.  Feel free to let me know how you allot time for prayer in your own life.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Giving God our Undivided Attention

I want to continue with touching on the book The Only Necessary Thing, writings of Henri Nouwen compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer.  I came across  the statement that Nouwen makes that "we need to set aside a time and space to give God our undivided attention."  Jesus told us to go to a room and shut the door (Matt. 6:6) and we know that Jesus would often go off by himself to have private time for prayer.

I can't but help to think of all the distractions that occur in my life.  In my own condo, there is often outside noise of traffic or of contractors.  There are other people coming and going in my building.  I might hear some music playing loudly from a passing car or the sirens of the police or fire trucks.

But then, there are the distractions brought on by myself.  While I want to find the quiet time, my mind might wander to what I will do later in the day or the next day.  Or I might be upset about something and can't get it out of my mind. The telephone might ring only to find it is a telemarketer.

As I do find that precious time to be alone with God, I find it helpful first to meditate on the three persons of the Trinity.  That way I am indicating that I am giving my undivided attention to God. The focus of my attention will be on God.  As I get deeper in my quiet time and go into prayer, I try to be in a posture where I can be fully open to God.

How do you deal with the distractions of life and how might you put yourself in a position to give your undivided attention to God?

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Being Fully Open to God

This week I have been reading through a collection of writings by Henri Nouwen on prayer with the book The Only Necessary Thing, compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer.

In one of his writings Nouwen states:  "Prayer is the act by which we divest ourselves of all false belongings and become free to belong to God and God alone."  It is Nouwen's conviction that it's easy for us to see our lives in the context of the structures of this world.  We also want control of our own lives.

It is through prayer that we divest of ourselves of such "structures."  We begin to see that in reality we are God's and are defined by the Almighty and enter into a different realm of existence.  Through prayer we also would leave space and time.  We never know where a prayer will be answered.  We don't even know when.  Anything is possible.

Yes, in prayer we place ourselves within God's structure of working.  While this might be somewhat fearful or cause us anxiety, it can also be freeing.  What God will do is not dependent on my own existence and the powers that be.  God is the one in full control!

Do you feel this sense of freedom as you pray?  The next time you pray think about the fact that you are turning everything over to God and God's workings.