“ . . . the Spirit of God dwells in you. The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according the will of God.”
Rom. 8:9, 26-27
Paul’s insight about prayer strikes a resounding “wow, he hit the nail on the head for me.” Most of my prayers are inarticulate groans. I struggle with finding words. I struggle to voice heartfelt pain; to clarify my hopes, to ask for healing, for understanding, for solace. And guess what! God’s Spirit dwelling within me so completely understands, accepts my feeble attempts and helps me “in my weakness.” I experience this most often when in the chapel, God’s Spirit always there to help me find healing words for those who seek healing.
Reading again Richard Foster’s book “Prayer,” I thought I would share his thoughts about praying. The idea of middle prayer; that prayer takes place in the middle voice; that we do not have to have everything perfect when we pray.
We often tackle prayer in the same way we tackle every other task – by hard work with an intensity to try, try, try again. Does that ring a bell? The thing is we have to let go of all that intensity; of all that trying harder.
Letting go, we enter into a stillness and silence. And we discover God’s presence in that stillness and silence. We discover God is always already here! God is continually praying along with us. We begin to experience prayer in which God acts and we receive; prayer in which we act and God receives, all at the same time: “middle prayer.”
Rom. 8:9, 26-27
Paul’s insight about prayer strikes a resounding “wow, he hit the nail on the head for me.” Most of my prayers are inarticulate groans. I struggle with finding words. I struggle to voice heartfelt pain; to clarify my hopes, to ask for healing, for understanding, for solace. And guess what! God’s Spirit dwelling within me so completely understands, accepts my feeble attempts and helps me “in my weakness.” I experience this most often when in the chapel, God’s Spirit always there to help me find healing words for those who seek healing.
Reading again Richard Foster’s book “Prayer,” I thought I would share his thoughts about praying. The idea of middle prayer; that prayer takes place in the middle voice; that we do not have to have everything perfect when we pray.
We often tackle prayer in the same way we tackle every other task – by hard work with an intensity to try, try, try again. Does that ring a bell? The thing is we have to let go of all that intensity; of all that trying harder.
Letting go, we enter into a stillness and silence. And we discover God’s presence in that stillness and silence. We discover God is always already here! God is continually praying along with us. We begin to experience prayer in which God acts and we receive; prayer in which we act and God receives, all at the same time: “middle prayer.”
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