I've done that. I've used a "daily office" book to bring discipline to my life. I plan to do it again this year for Lent. Having no grown up in a church that observed Lent, I rather enjoy it. If I had done it all my life, I might not. Here is a source on line for the prayers and readings for right now. I've found this to be a wonderful way to focus on God.
I also have discovered a little book by a Spanish Catholic names Francois Fenelon named Letting Go. I like it because I can read an entry in a few minutes and amazingly, it always seems to touch my soul when I do.
Frankly, in many ways I am a pretty undisciplined follower. I took Spiritual Formation at the seminary and realized that I fell far short in the idea of spiritual discipline. I really have no excuse other than I am lazy.
However, I think of sermon I preached one time. I've always been puzzled by the scripture to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible also tells us to prayer everywhere, all the time, about everything. If we give that a ritualistic understanding, we probably should be in a monastery or convent. Sometimes I think that I'd like that, but since God hasn't called me to that lifestyle, I have been perplexed as to how to do that - especially as "undisciplined" as I am.
In this sermon, I preached on The Lord's Prayer, The Our Father... I realized that while this is prayer it is also a prescription for a lifestyle. While it may be a cop out for my lack of discipline, I try to live a lifestyle that keeps in constant communication with God. I remember that He is with me at all times, in all places. My heart can and often does stay in constant communication with Him. Kind of reminds me of the old song: And He walks with me and He talks with me - and He tells me I am His own ...
2 comments:
You know what, if you are in communion with God, you have it right. We get too many ides about prayer from religious folks that don't have a great history of answered prayers. When we know Jesus, and we hear his voice, we can commune with him, and that includes prayer.
I think of like being with my wife. I really enjoy her, and because we know each other, we don't need to ask a lot of each other, we often just know. Some days I do need her help, and because I love here, I don't feel bad about we asking, and I don't feel the need to beg. Because she believes that I have the good of the family at heart, she really has to say no.
Our God is like that, because we know Him, and understand where he is going, and often where he is taking us, we don't have to ask, we just need to flow.
I do like prayers, and some days I wish I was more disciplined about certain things. But I read the word and pray all day at work. My spirit is dwelling in Him and he in me.
Great blog Joyce - just enjoy our God!
I love that last line - enjoy our God -- I think of the first question of the catechism (for a born and bred Pentecostal I get into this stuff :-)
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]
[a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4
I just love that idea - just to enjoy our God. Love your comments!
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