Today I decided to try a new prayer practice. It's a beautiful, sunny, almost 50 degree day so I thought it would be a good chance to try walking around town and praying. I had high hopes to begin with, I mean how hard could this possibly be. Well the answer is: a LOT harder than I thought. The trouble was that my mind was wandering hard core. I would do ok for a while, being mindful of the houses, businesses or people around me and lifting them up to God but then I'd start to think about how I was going to write about this, what was left on my to do list, what to have for dinner and get at the store and on and on. And then to top it off, I turned the corner and got a face full of wind and like a silly person I didn't bring a hat with me and as my ears got colder the harder it was to snap myself back into a prayerful/mindful mindset.
As I was beginning to feel as though today's attempt at a new prayer practice was an utter failure, I made one last ditch effort to salvage my attempt. I decided I was trying to do too much. I was trying to be aware of all the houses and people and businesses around me, lift them up to God, walk and keep my mind from wandering. So I switched gears to something incredibly simple. I focused on each step I was taking and tried not to worry or think about anything else. To my amazement, it worked, or at least I think it did. In the refocusing and quieting of my mind and body a hymn came into my head; What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
This hymn is my prayer today. It is my prayer for the people of our town who have, over the past few days experienced so much pain and sorrow. It is my prayer that we would know this peace and love and joy and that we would be able to lean in God's arms.
So all in all, it wasn't a completely hopeless attempt at prayer and here is what I learned:
1. If it's November, even a really beautiful day in November, make sure to bring a hat with you.
2. I need more practice.
3. Prayer can't be forced, it just happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment