Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, we’ve learned so much about the physical properties of this world and this universe. Sometimes I struggle to remember that, with all we’ve learned, there is more in this world than just what my five senses can detect. Give me eyes to see, and ears to hear, your presence in my life. Amen.
Prayer Tip:
Have you ever sat on a porch swing with a loved one at dawn or dusk and watched the sun rise or set? Those moments can often feel magical. It is as if the two of you are sharing a moment with each other that few are experiencing at that exact time. The beauty of this scenario is that no words need to be spoken for this intimate moment to warm your hearts and strengthen your bond –all that is needed is stillness and a sense of awe. Often, if you speak during these moments, it takes away from the magic. I look forward to growing old with my wife and sitting on that porch swing, just enjoying the moment with her, without needing to speak to one another. I wonder, can prayer ever feel like this?
There is a discipline known as “centering prayer” that can help create this intimacy with God. The point of centering prayer is to eliminate all of the noises and distractions that pull us away from ‘sitting on the porch swing’ with God. In this prayer, we are neither asking God for anything in particular nor listening for any particular answer or wisdom. Instead, we are seeking to enjoy the fellowship with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed before life got chaotic.
To do centering prayer, take at least 15 minutes and find a quiet spot with no distractions (this is the easy part). Close your eyes and begin quieting the noisy distractions that your mind creates. This is often the difficult part of this prayer meditation, as our minds are programmed to be noisy! Someone once described our thoughts as cargo ships we are constantly inspecting. In centering prayer, instead of going to the ‘cargo ships’ and inspecting them , just let them float by. If you find yourself peeking into the cargo, mentally step away from it and let go of the thought. Some people have a sacred word or attribute of God that they use to refocus when they find themselves peering into the cargo—this may or may not help you. It can take time to train yourself to let go of your thoughts, but once you do I trust you will come face to face with the Lord your God who resides in each one of our hearts.
Prayer does not always have to be a dialogue…sometimes it can just be one of those moments sitting on the porch swing with God.
–Rev. Michael Maroon, Pastor of Prayer Ministries
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