This thought from Henri Nouwen hit hard with a reminder this morning.
From Unceasing Thinking to Unceasing Prayer
Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is "unceasing." Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.
Let's break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Still Small Voice of Love - Henri Nouwen
another helpful reminder from Henri Nouwen...
The Still, Small Voice of Love
Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that says, "Prove that you are a good person." Another voice says, "You'd better be ashamed of yourself." There also is a voice that says, "Nobody really cares about you," and one that says, "Be sure to become successful, popular, and powerful." But underneath all these often very noisy voices is a still, small voice that says, "You are my Beloved, my favor rests on you." That's the voice we need most of all to hear. To hear that voice, however, requires special effort; it requires solitude, silence, and a strong determination to listen.
That's what prayer is. It is listening to the voice that calls us "my Beloved."
The Still, Small Voice of Love
Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that says, "Prove that you are a good person." Another voice says, "You'd better be ashamed of yourself." There also is a voice that says, "Nobody really cares about you," and one that says, "Be sure to become successful, popular, and powerful." But underneath all these often very noisy voices is a still, small voice that says, "You are my Beloved, my favor rests on you." That's the voice we need most of all to hear. To hear that voice, however, requires special effort; it requires solitude, silence, and a strong determination to listen.
That's what prayer is. It is listening to the voice that calls us "my Beloved."
Fire and Shootings (praying for hope)
I'm caught by these headlines this morning.
The new year is only 14 days old, and my city has already had 5 deaths by homicide. Gang violence is growing, and a shooting New Year's Day was shockingly close to my home.
Another Gang Shooting in Calgary Leaves One Dead, Two Seriously Injured
And a fire on a first nations reserve on Vancouver Island claimed the lives of five people overnight as well.
5 Dead in Vancouver Island House Fire
I'm tired. and death and it's accompanyment seem close today. so I'm caught by these headlines and find myself praying again. for protection. for health and strength. for peace. for joy. for hope.
The new year is only 14 days old, and my city has already had 5 deaths by homicide. Gang violence is growing, and a shooting New Year's Day was shockingly close to my home.
Another Gang Shooting in Calgary Leaves One Dead, Two Seriously Injured
And a fire on a first nations reserve on Vancouver Island claimed the lives of five people overnight as well.
5 Dead in Vancouver Island House Fire
I'm tired. and death and it's accompanyment seem close today. so I'm caught by these headlines and find myself praying again. for protection. for health and strength. for peace. for joy. for hope.
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