Saint Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • This Sunday
    • Meet the Staff
    • How to Connect
  • All the News
  • Care Ministries
  • Worship Services
  • Ways to Give
    • Financial Giving
    • Gifts of Grace
    • Flower Dedications
  • Making God Connections
    • ChurchNext
    • Inspire Labyrinth and Gardens
    • Monthly Musings from a Deacon on the Way
    • On the Way Moments Podcast
    • On the Way with Beth at Seminary
    • Reflections on the Way
  • Making a Difference in Our World
    • Outreach Grants
    • East Valley Men's Center
    • Extended Hands Food Bank
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Haiti Ministry
    • Needlecrafts for Needs
  • Making Social Connections
    • Arts on the Desert
    • Avid Readers
    • Blessings of Belonging
    • Dining on the Desert
    • Music on the Desert
    • Seasoned Saints
    • Women's and Men's Breakfasts
    • Young Adults (18-35)
  • Children Youth Family Ministries
    • Family Ministry Registration
  • Major Life Events
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
    • Death of a Loved One
    • Weddings
  • Walking the Mourner's Path
#stanthonydesert

Middle Prayer

12/1/2022

0 Comments

 
“ . . . 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.”  
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Monthly Musings from a Deacon on the Way

    The Rev. Robert A. Perrino

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Saint Anthony on the Desert ~ 12990 E. Shea Boulevard ~ Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480.451.0860 ~ email: [email protected]