The
following is from a Lenten Meditation that I wrote for the Episcopal
Diocese of Newark - Christian Formation Commission, and I thought I'd
share it with all of you. For more of their work, go to this website: http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/cfc
I cry aloud to God, I cry aloud to the One who will hear me.In the day of my trouble I sought after God;
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
I refused to be comforted.
I think of God, I am restless;
I ponder, and my spirit faints.
Psalm 77:1-3 (The St. Helena Psalter)
In this Lenten time it is hoped that we pray and reflect on the cross that is to come and on our lives as Christians. It is likely that many of us experience what the Psalmist here is describing, a restlessness in prayer - a sense of the conversation being one sided. Perhaps this stems from our looking at prayer as having a purpose, meaning that it must involve asking or thanking God for something. Do we always have a purpose when we get together with a friend? What if we were to look at prayer as a conversation with a friend - the greatest friend of all - our God? How would that change us? How would that change our relationship with prayer?
Today, take a moment to enter into a conversation with God, to spend a moment in stillness, remembering that God is always present, and that we just need to pause for a moment to embrace the divinity that is within and all around us. And, if you struggle to find a way to center the mind in this way, try repeating a simple prayer like the one below, allowing the rhythm of your breathing and the tempo of your heart to open your soul to God, who is longing to spend quality time with you.
Prayer:
My God, my friend, I am here, be with me.
Wishing you all the blessings of a Holy Lent.
Chaplain Diana
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