A new year has begun. We see many comments about resolutions, plans made, and other action words focused forward on the future. Goals are good, but I’m here to say don’t overlook the present moment. It’s beautiful outside, the weather is quiet, and God has given us this day to enjoy. No, that’s wrong — he’s given us this moment.
My pastor is teaching a class on prayer, the current lesson being the practice of “breath prayer”. For example, on your in-breath, think “The Lord is my shepherd” and on your out-breath, think “I shall not want”. Five minutes might be the duration, but length of time is variable. The purpose is to refresh and maintain your awareness of God’s close presence to you.
I have gained much by sitting still in prayer. It’s been while in prayer that solutions to life’s problems came to mind or new writing topics entered my head. I may or may not have asked God for help with those issues. I simply pray the usual points on my prayer list and while praying, I concentrate in two directions, aware of ideas that run in the back of my mind while praying my requests upfront. It takes practice, but I think of it as keeping my mind open to thoughts while in conversation with someone, as a parent listens for a child to call while talking to another adult.
It may seem like these thoughts arise from nowhere, but I believe God gives them while he has my attention. I don’t mean to diminish the gravity of the petitions I make in prayer, rather to describe blessings received while in service to God. Prayer is a multifaceted practice, full of graces in many aspects. I haven’t practiced breath prayer. My time with God is early mornings, but I think I’ll start in quiet moments anytime as a way of refocussing on God near me while listening for messages he wants to give me.
Join Sheri Hathaway on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (@sherismusing) as she divides her time between writing and watercolour painting, enjoying life on both the Canadian prairies and the West Coast.
Thank you, dear Sheri, for helping us focus on God's presence as we're presented with a new year.
ReplyDeleteI love this: "The purpose is to refresh and maintain your awareness of God’s close presence to you."
How precious that we have an ever-present God. He is wonderful.
Blessings for 2022 ~ Wendy Mac
Lovely Sheri! Live in the moment and enjoy the day. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful post, Sheri. I particularly relate to this sentence: "I concentrate in two directions, aware of ideas that run in the back of my mind while praying my requests upfront."
ReplyDeleteI used to think, when this happens to me, that I wasn't concentrating enough while praying, but God has spoken to me often through the ideas that run in the back of my mind. Isn't the mind an amazing creation? May God speak into your heart as you practice "breath prayer".
The mind is indeed an amazing creation, made by an amazing creator. Thank you for sharing your blessings while in prayer.
DeleteSome lovely thoughts, Sheri, thank you so much. Earlier this morning, I enjoyed quiet moments watching that glorious yellow moon shine against the navy sky. You mention it's while you sit still in prayer that solutions to life’s problems or new writing topics come to mind. Yes, me too. That stillness gives us a chance to hear what cannot be heard when things are abuzz with chatter.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful picture you paint, "yellow moon shine against the navy sky". It sounds like a perfect time to pray. Thanks, Brenda.
DeleteBeware of voices and thoughts. Remember to test the spirits. The same applies to human teachers. Always match ideas up with God's Word to see if they fit.
ReplyDeleteA good reminder. Thank you for your wise advice, Bruce.
DeleteThanks for sharing how while in prayer your mind goes in two directions. I relate to your sentence: "It’s been while in prayer that solutions to life’s problems came to mind or new writing topics entered my head." God works in wonderful ways, doesn't He!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for this reminder to ‘be’ in the moment with the Lord. After I read your post and thought about the image of a parent listening for a child’s voice, I am thinking I need to practice hearing His voice throughout my day, in the moment. But as you said, this takes practice and quiet prayer is a good place to start. Thanks for your inspiration.
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