Prayer and Poetry

While it is true that every moment is a moment filled with the possibility of an encounter with God, it is also true that there is great spiritual value in having some time that is dedicated and set aside to focus our attention intentionally on Him.  When we read the record of some of those we regard as spiritual giants, we see evidence of that daily time with the Father.  The gospel makes it clear that being alone with the Father was an important part of the life of Jesus.  He did powerful things while here among us, but He was also constantly drawing aside to pray.    

It goes without saying that no amount of prayer can take the place of God's grace toward us and our faith response toward Him.  No amount of praying can provide for us the salvation God offers to us as a gift of grace.  What it does do is turn our spirits toward Him in such a way that we become receptive to the His purposeful presence in our life.  The prayer we know as the Lord's Prayer does teach us to practice the discipline of intercession in our prayer life; however, prayer is more than just telling God what we think He needs to know, or do.  Prayer creates in us a posture for listening and being aware of how God is directing our lives.   

In these years of retirement I have come to a place of reading more poetry than I used to read.  Reading poetry takes time.  It is not something done hurriedly.  It creates a thoughtful and seeking heart.  We read with wonder.  We ponder over words listening for a meaning not seen at first glance.  Reading poetry in these last few years has taught me some important things about the way to pray.  Many times I have wished for the presence of the poet to let me know what was really meant by something framed in the white space.  When we pray we are blessed to have the presence of the Creator of our souls to help us understand what is meant for us to live in the space of the years He has given to us.