Today we had a Lenten Prayer Breakfast. There were many "aha" moments during the session. One in particular was the thought of prayer in our life. At this time of Lent, I am reminded of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer said about prayer:
Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one's heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak with him, whether the heart is full or empty.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Some times I fail to recognize if my heart is full or empty. How can that be? I believe that I am not unlike many persons who are simply not in touch with themselves. We for the most part have no clear direction in our lives. We allow ourselves to be thrown from one side of the boat to the other. We let the wind alter our course and blow us to places we never intended. We are really never in control of our lives and our world. We don't even sit still long enough to know what we are thinking or feeling. Is our heart full or empty? More importantly, what is making it that way. I ponder at times if that is really all bad. God has control of the boat anyway!
We are about to begin another Lenten season. A time for reflection and pause in our lives. I invite every person to spend time with themselves this Lenten season. Sit, pray or contemplate all that God has in store for you. Look at what has come between you and God. Concentrate on keeping your journey simple, focused and aimed towards God. Try to sit with yourself even if it makes you uncomfortable. It is in our discomfort that we learn the most about ourselves. Whatever is between you and God needs to be examined for its merit. Perhaps it stays. Most likely, it goes and we become more in tuned to our creator.
Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one's heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak with him, whether the heart is full or empty.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Some times I fail to recognize if my heart is full or empty. How can that be? I believe that I am not unlike many persons who are simply not in touch with themselves. We for the most part have no clear direction in our lives. We allow ourselves to be thrown from one side of the boat to the other. We let the wind alter our course and blow us to places we never intended. We are really never in control of our lives and our world. We don't even sit still long enough to know what we are thinking or feeling. Is our heart full or empty? More importantly, what is making it that way. I ponder at times if that is really all bad. God has control of the boat anyway!
We are about to begin another Lenten season. A time for reflection and pause in our lives. I invite every person to spend time with themselves this Lenten season. Sit, pray or contemplate all that God has in store for you. Look at what has come between you and God. Concentrate on keeping your journey simple, focused and aimed towards God. Try to sit with yourself even if it makes you uncomfortable. It is in our discomfort that we learn the most about ourselves. Whatever is between you and God needs to be examined for its merit. Perhaps it stays. Most likely, it goes and we become more in tuned to our creator.
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