A Word and a Note on Prayer
Suzanne Cain
If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.
~ Meister EckhartIt is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without heart.
~ Mahatma GandhiLet gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.
~ Maya AngelouGo where your best prayers take you.
~ Frederich Buechner
There are countless quotes, books, articles, songs, and sermons written about prayer. Prayer is practiced in as many different ways as there are souls that are so moved. And within those souls a myriad of postures in which they pray. From prayers of praise and thanksgiving to prayers of confession and lament. Prayers thoughtfully outlined and prayers scattered and random like the wind with nothing more than a sigh or a glance.
Prayer is silence.
Prayer is music.
Prayer is listening.
Prayer is crying out.
Prayer is remembering.
Prayer is hard.
Prayer is natural.
Prayer is exhausting.
Prayer is life.
Sometimes we come away from prayer with more questions than answers. I’m learning to be OK with that. The question I ask most in my prayers is “Was that your voice, God, or was it mine?” How do I know if I’m hearing from God?
Amena Brown, poet and spoken word performer, wrote a piece titled “She said, How do you know when you are hearing from God”? It is beautifully descriptive and full of truth. I would like you to hear this piece of poetry spoken. It is not Amena, but my beautiful daughter, Emma. It is also accompanied by an arrangement of prayer songs that speak to me.
Listen with your ears and your heart. Feel them in your body and soul. It will possibly stir some memories. Sit with all that moves through you. It is your prayer.