Day 8 (oops - make then 9)

Deep Listening

For most of my life, I struggled with prayer. How should I pray? What should I pray for? What should I say? How long should I pray? Is one posture better than another?

A few years ago, I began to 'understand' that my questions were getting in the way. In fact, they were focusing on the wrong end of prayer. I was working too hard. Instead of focusing on myself, I 'worked' on letting go of myself, letting go of everything. Ironically, 'work' is exactly the opposite of what was required.

Instead, to be able to move into a space of silence and solitude, requires nothing. There is no work to it. There is nothing involved but letting go.

When Paul talks about praying without ceasing, the word he uses can be translated as 'rest' or 'recline.' To rest in God without ceasing does not require anything of us. But it's so counter intuitive. It seems like there should be some great effort, some movement on our part. Instead, it's as simple as letting go of everything and free falling into the presence of God. That 'simple' act is still the most challenging anti-task of faith for me.

May each of us find the courage to stop, to let go and do nothing. May we simply 'be' in the presence of God, nothing more...nothing less.