“A few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway”. This line that is found in the middle of the poem Praying by Mary Oliver stands out to me. As Mary Oliver begins to simplify prayer and express what prayer is supposed to be, she makes it clear that big words are not necessary. I love the last line in which she’s says “into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.” I think that this is a vital thing to remember when you are praying and seeking after God’s voice in your life. There are times within prayer that we need to simply sit back, be quiet and listen. Whether the Lord speaks to us or not, does not validate whether we should be still in the presence of God. It is simply a matter of realizing the greatness of God and being open to His voice. Sometimes we will hear his voice, and sometimes we will simply experience a moment of peace. But that moment of peace could be exactly what we needed.
While we were discussing this in class, the discussion of what prayer should look like come up. I would like to repeat the quote that I said at the beginning of this blog. “A few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway”. I think that it is important to remember that in praying we are simply conversing with the God of the universe. I think that we often forget that we are in a relationship. Within relationships, you will face times in which you will simply sit and say nothing to each other. Although this is not the case all the time, I think that in our society today we often put prayer in a box. We do not allow it to be expressed in different ways. Relationships are made of different things, and I think that within relationships there are times for words and there are times for silence. I believe that there are times for laughing and there are times for crying. I believe there are times of need and there are times of thanksgiving. Shouldn’t our relationship with God be that of the same kind? I believe that it is time for Christians today to stop praying simply to say they have prayed, and instead begin to embark on a relationship that changes the way you view everything in life.
"I think that within relationships there are times for words and there are times for silence. I believe that there are times for laughing and there are times for crying. I believe there are times of need and there are times of thanksgiving." Wow, you really should be a writer. You have amazing insight on things and it is a blessing to read this. Lately my relationship with God hasn't been the best it should be. However, reading this quote and seeing how I am like this in my relationships really makes me realize that this is what Christ is about when it comes to our relationship with him.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment! I hope to be a motivational speaker someday and write the things that I speak. I just want to encourage others to dream bigger, to love God, and to love others!
ReplyDeleteI love when you can find yourself faced with the fact that when it comes to Christianity appearances really do not matter. You can talk about God and how you love him from morning til night, but what people really believe is the way you act. I think Christians need to turn off the Jesus game and start practicing being real for a change.
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