"pray continuously" How is this even possible?
What if I were to take my trillions of tiny thoughts and twist them instead into conversations with God? What would this look like?
I need to rake leaves before it snows = God, maybe I ought to rake leaves this morning. Should I use the lawn mower to pick up leaves? = Father, I wonder if it might be best to use the mower. That bill needs to be paid = Lord, should I pay that bill now or later?
It’s only a slight change of words, but a 180 degree change in perspective. All of a sudden I am aware of God’s presence with me. Even though my thoughts are basically the same, my awareness of God brings a new attitude and approach to each moment.
Henri Nouwen brings clarity to this issue in "Spiritual Direction", page 61…
"… prayer can only become unceasing when all our thoughts –beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful-can be thought and expressed in the presence of God. Converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centered monologue to a God-centered dialogue. This requires that we turn all our thoughts into conversation."
It’s hard to imagi… Uh hem. Oh, yeah, Father. Yes. It’s hard to imagine making my every thought a conversation. Yes, it is. But I will make an attempt to turn my self-centered monologue into You-centered dialogue. Good. I’ll need Your help, Lord! You got it.
Posted on
Mon, November 2, 2009
by Chris Spitters