Honest to God!
Who hasn't said something like,"Honest to God!" or "I swear, I'm telling the truth!"? More often than we'd like or, perhaps intend, truth telling gets lost in a web of words. But sometimes that wad of words is on purpose, designed to confuse, distort or manipulate "truth" for our purposes. It's called truthiness. Just enough truth to get by, but not the honest-to-God truth.
And speaking of truth and why it matters in our relationship with God, read the Psalms. The Psalms are filled with honest-to-God prayers. Jesuit theologian, Walter Burghardt, calls prayer, a long, loving look at the real."
Well, the longer I look at "the real" in and around me, the more I pray. And like a moth to a flame, I give God another chance with it, them or me. Mostly, I know better but I don't always feel better. Or act better. So out tumble whispers, groans, sobs or stunned silence as I struggle with what's going on in and around me. Still, I believe God hears, knows and cares.
Saint John Chrysostom calls prayer, "a haven to the shipwrecked, a staff to limbs that totter, a mine of jewels to the poor, a healer of disease, and a guardian of health."
All I know is that prayer keeps me anchored and hopeful. In divisive times, it's so easy to seek out those that agree with us to reinforce our reality. As for me, I find I can handle just so many of those sidebar chats. I need to withdraw and "have a little talk with Jesus." Not because I'm so holy, but because I'm needy. I need God's help and perspective.
And so I urge you to do the same with that which troubles your heart today. Consider this quote by C.S.Lewis. "I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. And I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me."
So, lets pray more, and talk less to others, to gain support for our causes. And when we can't muster the faith or grit to eek out a prayer, lets trust that others are praying for us. Who? Well, saints above are praying. And so are the everyday saints who live and move among us.
Best of all? Jesus is praying.
So trust
Rest.
And stay hopeful.
10 Comments
This is a keeper for me. Prayer in a nutshell . Will read it often in future days when I’m groaning and sighing.
Thanks, dear Radina. So many of us groan and moan, but we both know groaning only gives temporary release from what troubles us. Graoning prayer admits we can't do what only God can do. Pray on, dear sister groaner and sigher. God hears and translates.
Grateful for CS Lewis’s words and especially for yours, Jan.
Thanks Jan, I figure if God knows my thoughts before I think them, I am wasting my time trying to outsmart Him. I have heard there was no steering wheel on the ark which should confirm the notion that God, and not Dale, is in charge. And, in that there is great comfort. :-)
As often happens, you make me laugh! Trust me, I do take comfort that neither you nor I are in charge.
We love you Momo
And I love you, my dearest daughter-in-love. While it doesn't always work this way, when our son, Chad, married you and our daughter, Heather, married Matt, our family got bigger and better. Thank you for many ways you've blessed me and our family.
I'm so very thankful for prayer. And for you! Thanks for sharing such wise and wonderful thoughts. <3
Yes, like you, I'm so grateful God welcomes our prayers. He who has all the time in the world. longs to spend time with us, a time to share words together or sacred silence. Such a loving God, dear Wendy..