1 Thessalonians 5:17
When I was in Chicago last summer, I was very aware of God's presence throughout the whole week. I would catch myself thinking of him. I felt him everywhere. I was floating on a cloud of love.
Lately, I have been so grateful for the presence of God in my life. I have had many moments when I was almost ecstatic with joy.
But I have also found myself realizing that a time has passed when I haven't thought of God at all. I will suddenly remember God, and notice that I hadn't been concious of him. Usually this happens after I have been working, doing a party, or at a board meeting, or dinner with the family. I will kind of wake up from the fog of my busy life and become aware, once more, of God. Which isn't to say that the time I was oblivious was bad. I was just going about my business.
In Way of a Pilgrim, the pilgrim teaches his heart to say the Jesus prayer so that he can pray without ceasing. He can pray at night, or when talking to someone else. He prays for every waking moment, and every other moment too.
Is that possible? Is it possible to become so concious of God that there are no moments of forgetting?
What do you think?
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.
3 comments:
Brother Lawerence's book Practicing the Presence of God goes with that thought to.
And I understand, I struggle with that too. May God have mercy on me too, and us all. And may help us be conscious of God in all we are and do.
Great post Rachel.
I second Revabi's recommendation of Brother Lawrence. It's short and wonderful! My habit of prayer was revolutionized by it. I have stumbled upon something that works for me that I'll share.
Each time I greet/meet/see/read someone, I ask myself what I can pray about for this person (some are easier than others!) I get a double benefit from this: conciousness of God and attention to people. An unforseen benefit after I had been in the habit a while was that it suddenly seemed that I could remember names and stories and made easier conversation than ever...and I have been blessed with new and deeper relationships. God is good!
Good comments, you two!
I have read Brother Lawrence, and agree that he is wonderful. And I love the suggestion of praying for everyone you meet.
I am going to pray to God to help me with this!
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