Embracing the PASSION of Prayer!

A few weeks ago I had one of those unexpected ‘AHA’ moments that struck me like a whoosh of air entering a room.  I love music…all kinds…generations….instrumental and vocal.  Still, there are 3 sounds which especially speak to my soul and spirit: the strings of a violin, the soul of a sax, and the heartbeat of a drum.  That day I was listening to a favorite of mine, Russian born violinist, Maxim Vengerov.  The piece was Maxim Vengerov.  To get a sense of what I was listening to and observing, I invite you to listen to at least the first 2 minutes of this hour long piece.

What I heard and saw was a musician’s passion which transcended his music. and seemed to penetrate into other areas of his life...or maybe it was the other way around.  Anyway, I started thinking about how this kind of passion connects with prayer.

This month’s prayer blogs have focused on the methods and connecting avenues we can access for prayer.  Rachel shared information on ways to pray and Paul on ways of hyperlinking our lives to prayer. 

For many of us (self-included) prayer tends to be thought of in a more serious note, whether practiced alone or in community.  Yet what if prayer is not always plainly serious, whether we are giving thanks, offering praise, seeking healing, reflecting on God’s presence, or meditating? Listening to this YouTube piece led me to reflect on our senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching....all orchestrated through our brain and heart, along with our thoughts and emotions.  Nothing extra-ordinary so far?  

Well bear with me.  Let’s say we believe our Creator fashioned us with all 5 senses, these organs, our soul and our spirit. YES!!!  A good place to start. I also believe our Creator has a sense of Joy, Humor, Compassion, Mercy, Tenderness, Anger, Justice, and…yes PASSION.  And that God is very passionate about all these tributes….and about you and me!  So what does this have to do with our passion in prayer?  Just that you and I were created in God’s image, with a divine spirit.  If prayer is a way for us to connect with and relate to and with God….then passion in prayer is a good thing!  

Still, I have to say there are times when my prayers are subdued, pensive, no so passionate and very still.  So when I speak about the passion of prayer, I’m not referring to assertive shouts or hallelujahs (though this is okay! )....but rather to engaging our senses, our heart, our reflections, and our spirits. 

Here are some suggestions:

*  Feel closer to God in nature?  Utter a prayer while you breathe in the air and soak in the colors, get close to the earth.

*  Like to create?  Invite God to be with you in your hands, your eyes, your spirit…and let yourself feel God’s presence in your work (i.e. Maxim Vengerov)

*  If the words won’t come….try this link for praying in color.  Praying in Color

*  Music?  Listen to a favorite piece and sing, move around, or imagine playing an instrument and feel God’s presence in your movements.  You to might utter a prayer of thanksgiving or joy.

*  Like to write?  A journal of gratitude prayers does wonders for the soul.

*  Enjoy food (who doesn’t)?  Offering thanks for what we have and praying for those who don’t is the best seasoning.

*  Evening prayers…light a candle, read a poem, listen to the end of the day and sense the quietude.   Evening Meditations

*  Is there a prayer ritual which connects you with your roots…your heart.   Here is one of mine: Sabbath Prayer around the world  

*  Meditation?  Meditation journeys

I encourage you to engage one or more of your five senses, including your heart and your soul. If this is new to you….start by trying one small thing and make it a habit.  Play around ‘til you find a new comfort zone…and then explore using another sense.

We are created to be fully alive, as much as we are able. Should our prayers not be the same?  Just as I ask the breath of God, the Holy Spirit to walk with me in exploring new ways of bringing passion in my prayers.  I invite you to give this a try.  

Come as you are, wherever you are, and bring your senses with you.  Passion in prayer can be  catchy :)

Susan