Prayer is nothing else than an intimate friendship, a frequent heart-to-heart conversation with Him by whom we know ourselves to be loved. ~Teresa of Avila
Some of our windows always seem to face north, where colors are muted and shadows are long. Light doesn’t flood–it plays in the corner, elusive and longed for and hugged to our hearts.
And though night has been vanquished a thousand times over, hope doesn’t accrue like unused vacation. With every new twilight we learn how to wait. Every new dawn finds us needy for mercy.
Am I describing you? Do you find the light fades quickly in the “room” you inhabit? What do you do to keep the darkness at bay?
Prayer is often the last thing I think of, yet it never has failed to be just what I need.
Prayer anchors me in the moment and keeps worry in its place. Without that firm tether my mind wanders ahead, my life bleeds into the unknown. And I forget the presence and present moment of God–the here where I’ll find him, how he’s working right now.
Prayer can be more than its conventional posture. Here are some habits that let in the light.
6 Prayer Habits
- With each new touch of your hand–a coffee mug, the knob of a door, a small hand, a checkbook, a book or a hammer–whisper a prayer of gratitude and trust.
- Pray for the one who is now within eyesight–waiting in line, at the cross walk, one cubicle over. Root your thoughts in the real, in what matters, in the people God loves.
- Invite God to sort through the voices you hear. Make separate piles, the kind and the cruel, writing them down. Sift through for the true, send the rest through the shredder–let God’s grace have the last word.
- Walk through a day with the theme word of THIS. When anxiety threatens, turn your mind to this moment, this encounter, this person, this decision, this task, whatever grace has been given at this time.
- Share your lunchbox with Jesus, let him see what you chew on, that which chews you. Lay your burdens and worries, self-loathing and anger before his wise presence. Write, shout, whimper exactly where you are. Then let him respond.
- Sing the truths of God’s word. Pray an old hymn. Listen to lyrics that remind you of light.
What other prayer habits have been helpful to you? I would love to hear your ideas.
Photo, Fountains Abbey, Laura Windes
9 replies on “6 Prayer Habits That Let In The Light”
Love your thoughts, Janet and a really practical set of touch points to help stop the business of the day not distract from where God is in that same day.
Some of my own contemplative favorites are: ‘Lectio Divina’, ‘the Examine’, writing what I think God might be saying to me, and simple stillness.
Firstly, the photo reminds me of Tintern Abbey in Wales. Secondly, since I gave up the need for words, traditional prayer postures (now, with every head bowed and every eye closed…), accepted prayer subjects or methods (writing and singing are prayer for me), or tidying up beforehand, prayer has been much more breezy and beautiful. This is great, Janet. Thanks.
Just the words, “breezy and beautiful” bring in the light!
Hello, I have been alone for 4 years now. I live by myself and miss felmae company, but more importantly someone to share my life with.I meet different people each day but feel unsure about reaching out. I always look for ways to help others in my day to life.I would love to meet someone I am attracted to both internally and physically. I feel so sad with Christmas coming as I don’t want to spend another Christmas alone.It may sound shallow. But I am not perfect and don’t want perfect, only perfect for me. I have certain likes and dislikes. Someone I can be just myself with and they with me. But I believe in my heart the person I do choose, if I truly take care of their heart and support their desires to be a better person and help them fulfill their dreams as much as I have many dreams, I think God would be pleased at the end of my life.I would love to have a child, my heart feels so sad when I see couples with children. I know a child is a life commitment and I want to share parenthood.Please pray for me.Thank you!Lawrence F.
Just what I needed to hear this morning!
Julie, I’m so glad. God bless you, my friend.
Thank you for this, Janet. These are lovely suggestions.
Sometimes I find reading the prayers of the liturgy also helpful–it reminds me of the pain others might be in.
A great idea, Marilyn!
im a long haul driver sick of being attckaed through pornographic images every where, it is wearing me down physically and spiritually, it is affecting my prayer life and thus my abilityas a spiritual leader and protecter of my family. this one is not the ordinary daily temptations but all out brazzen attacks that are also manifesting themselfs in physically impossible acts such as beams leaning on the truck lifting up and hitting me . im calling for any prayer warriors on this one