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.
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