Praying Without Realizing It
November 19th, 2009Thursday’s Reflection
WE ARE … praying all the time without realizing it. There’s a constant stream of hungers and needs, gripes and groans, desires and dreams that well up from the mysterious depths of soul and body, reaching out to connect with the life within us and around us. This semiconscious asking may not be addressed to God, but it is prayer nonetheless, deeper than and prior to any belief system.
- Robert Corin Morris
Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life
From p. 203 of Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life by Robert Corin Morris. Copyright © 2003 by the author. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission of Upper Room Books. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Advent begins on November 29, 2009. Consider the new book, The Uncluttered Heart by Beth A. Richardson, as a part of your Advent discipline this year. Purchase your copy today. Join Beth for daily conversation at unclutteredheart.org.
Today’s Question
What are your “hungers and needs, gripes and groans, desires and dreams”? Share as you feel led.
Today’s Scripture Reading
These are the last words of David: “… The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.”
- 2 Samuel 23:1-2, NIV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for the Scriptures and inspirational writings. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Get Ready for Advent. Advent starts on November 29. This important Christian season helps us get our spirits ready for the coming of the Christ child. Prepare your heart — observe Advent.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Gertrude the Great of Helfta (November 16).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 19th, 2009 at 4:26 am
My hunger and my needs are the same – more of Christ, more of His restoration, His continual aid and protection of His wings.
Lately my gripes and groans are about the way I see society heading. The troubled youth, the lack of truth, the lack of regard/respect for others.
Desires and dreams…to step back from my gripes and groans – and focus on Christ. That my behavior would be reflective of Him, and not my selfish desires. Father – create in me a pure heart – cleanse me.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:23 am
My hunger mirrors Jill’s. More of Him and less of me. But there is something else I need to say here:
While it is true that we are praying all the time without realizing it, that does not in any way diminish the need for dedicated prayer time, time consciously devoted to God and God alone.
Sometimes in our “constant” prayer, we may unwittingly begin making offerings to other lesser gods.
It is in spending time in quiet reflection that we reduce the clamoring of other demands– including this wonderful venue for communication. It, too, can become a god if we are not cautious.
Father, show me where You are and how I can slide everything else off my plate to move closer to You. And when I get there– let me desire to remain, to abide in Your presence. Amen.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I do catch myself praying all the time…but this hasn’t always been the case.
Now that I have committed my life to Christ, all of my thoughts are being guided by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I’ll be driving in the car, and my thoughts always turn to prayer. But, I’m human and I do have bad thoughts, anger,selfishness and impatience, but the difference nowadays is when I do have bad thoughts, the Holy Spirit is in my ear, gently telling me I’m wrong, and I listen and try to make amends.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
As we become aware of God’s presence and indwelling we wake up to the fact that He hears all and knows all. Every thought is known to him which is why we are told to think on whatsoever things are true, noble, right, pure,lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Phil 4:8 Then there are no grumblings and gripes. The desire of my heart is “Thy will be done, Lord.”
November 19th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
My hunger and desire is to grow stronger and stronger with God. My moans and groans is about my health, which i should have more faith in God for my health. God help me be stronger thru it all and know that you are always there, no matter what…Amen