"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 26-30:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Lectio Divina
“It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Lectio Divina is a gentle prayer that can reap bountiful rewards. It is “holy reading,” holding a sacred text close to mind, body and heart. Sometimes I use this prayer in groups, but it is also possible to pray this way by myself. Today I am using one of the lectionary texts for the week, Revelation 21:1-6:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.”
In Lectio Divina, I read a passage four times.
The first time I read the text and say a word that speaks to me. Today “behold” would be my word.
Then I read the passage again, listening for a phrase that speaks to me. Today “all things new” sings its way to my ears.
After the third reading, I think about the text and its meaning in my life. Today the reading helps me to think about how I don’t always need to be anxious about change because it can be good. All the changes listed in the text are good things: God will be with us; there will be no more tears, no more death; and the thirsty will drink their fill of living water forever and ever.
The fourth and last reading time brings contemplation. I sit in silence taking the passage in as though it is bread to eat. I hold it inside myself, close to my heart. This last part of Lectio Divina is a quiet, peaceful time. In that peace, I sometimes feel God nearby and I can carry that quiet inside of me for a long time.
Teresa says, “It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Lectio Divina can help lead our soul gently, and I believe the prayer of holy reading can bring strength, insight and inspiration to us any time of the day or night.
Lectio Divina is a gentle prayer that can reap bountiful rewards. It is “holy reading,” holding a sacred text close to mind, body and heart. Sometimes I use this prayer in groups, but it is also possible to pray this way by myself. Today I am using one of the lectionary texts for the week, Revelation 21:1-6:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.”
In Lectio Divina, I read a passage four times.
The first time I read the text and say a word that speaks to me. Today “behold” would be my word.
Then I read the passage again, listening for a phrase that speaks to me. Today “all things new” sings its way to my ears.
After the third reading, I think about the text and its meaning in my life. Today the reading helps me to think about how I don’t always need to be anxious about change because it can be good. All the changes listed in the text are good things: God will be with us; there will be no more tears, no more death; and the thirsty will drink their fill of living water forever and ever.
The fourth and last reading time brings contemplation. I sit in silence taking the passage in as though it is bread to eat. I hold it inside myself, close to my heart. This last part of Lectio Divina is a quiet, peaceful time. In that peace, I sometimes feel God nearby and I can carry that quiet inside of me for a long time.
Teresa says, “It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Lectio Divina can help lead our soul gently, and I believe the prayer of holy reading can bring strength, insight and inspiration to us any time of the day or night.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 8
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 19-23:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 0
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 19-23:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 0
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Praying on Paper
“All I can say for now is that prayer is the doorway to the kinds of exquisite gifts [God] has given me.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
As you may remember, I started The Wisdom Project partly as a way to increase the regularity of my prayer life. My goal was to engage in centering prayer at least four out of five mornings a week and to continue in the awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.
When the Shalom students met at St. Scholastica Monastery on April 10, Sister Jean Maher introduced journaling as a way to stay close to the Spirit of God. In class that day she gave us an 8” by 12” piece of beautiful stationery and asked us to write a letter to God. She also gave us an envelope and asked us to address the envelope to ourselves. Then she said she would add a stamp and mail the letter to us before our next session together. I received my letter the other day, and I opened it to read the following:
Dear God,
Here I am, at the monastery for the spiritual direction class and we were asked to write letters to you which will be sent to us next week. Sister Jean has just given us a lesson in journaling, and I know this is one of the techniques people use. “Praying on paper” I’d call it, and whatever comes out now will be something I add to my journal at home.
Things are good with me. Some struggles this week and you know what they are. Bless those dear ones I am caring about and help them with their struggles. My own struggles seem manageable this week, but I ask for help to make the way to walk as free and clear as possible. There’s nothing wrong with a good sit every once in a while, too, so I shouldn’t worry if I experience delays. The main thing is that I hope to keep your intention as my intention because I don’t want to be at cross purposes. If you can give me enough guidance so I know what you want me to do, that’s all I really need for myself. For the others, I ask for their increasing capacities to love, to trust, to move freely without worries of harm or shame or loss.
May you have a good week! And may we find when this letter comes to me that those we love will have felt our presence and blessing throughout the days and nights between now and then.
Love,
Lezlie
~
It was a gift to receive this prayer in the mail, and the letter will inspire me to write again, to deepen my relationship with God through more frequent journal conversations. When I write, I will ask God to increase my capacity to love, to trust and to move freely without worries of harm or shame or loss because I'm not quite sure why I didn't ask for that help for myself as well as for others in my life. I have fallen short in all these ways lately, and I will write asking God to provide. Teresa says, “All I can say for now is that prayer is the doorway to the kinds of exquisite gifts [God] has given me.” Praying on paper is just one of the many ways we can knock on the door and experience these holy gifts.
As you may remember, I started The Wisdom Project partly as a way to increase the regularity of my prayer life. My goal was to engage in centering prayer at least four out of five mornings a week and to continue in the awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.
When the Shalom students met at St. Scholastica Monastery on April 10, Sister Jean Maher introduced journaling as a way to stay close to the Spirit of God. In class that day she gave us an 8” by 12” piece of beautiful stationery and asked us to write a letter to God. She also gave us an envelope and asked us to address the envelope to ourselves. Then she said she would add a stamp and mail the letter to us before our next session together. I received my letter the other day, and I opened it to read the following:
Dear God,
Here I am, at the monastery for the spiritual direction class and we were asked to write letters to you which will be sent to us next week. Sister Jean has just given us a lesson in journaling, and I know this is one of the techniques people use. “Praying on paper” I’d call it, and whatever comes out now will be something I add to my journal at home.
Things are good with me. Some struggles this week and you know what they are. Bless those dear ones I am caring about and help them with their struggles. My own struggles seem manageable this week, but I ask for help to make the way to walk as free and clear as possible. There’s nothing wrong with a good sit every once in a while, too, so I shouldn’t worry if I experience delays. The main thing is that I hope to keep your intention as my intention because I don’t want to be at cross purposes. If you can give me enough guidance so I know what you want me to do, that’s all I really need for myself. For the others, I ask for their increasing capacities to love, to trust, to move freely without worries of harm or shame or loss.
May you have a good week! And may we find when this letter comes to me that those we love will have felt our presence and blessing throughout the days and nights between now and then.
Love,
Lezlie
~
It was a gift to receive this prayer in the mail, and the letter will inspire me to write again, to deepen my relationship with God through more frequent journal conversations. When I write, I will ask God to increase my capacity to love, to trust and to move freely without worries of harm or shame or loss because I'm not quite sure why I didn't ask for that help for myself as well as for others in my life. I have fallen short in all these ways lately, and I will write asking God to provide. Teresa says, “All I can say for now is that prayer is the doorway to the kinds of exquisite gifts [God] has given me.” Praying on paper is just one of the many ways we can knock on the door and experience these holy gifts.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 7
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 12-16:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 12-16:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Harbor of Light
“[L]et no one who has cultivated the practice of contemplative prayer grow discouraged and say, ‘If I end up reverting to my old ways, it would be better for me to give up prayer altogether.’ I believe things will get worse if the person abandons prayer and refuses to quit his bad habits. But if he stays the course, prayer will carry him into the harbor of light.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
When I started The Wisdom Project, my intention was to increase the regularity of my contemplative prayer life. If you follow the Friday Prayer Reports, you will see that I have been able to keep close to my goal of four or five centering prayer sits every week. These last six weeks have been a blessing to me, and I have seen many positive effects from regular contemplative prayer. I am free to pray other prayers during the day, but for twenty minutes before 8:30 a.m. I am committed to centering prayer.
During the 20 minutes of centering prayer, I open myself to God’s love (presence and action) in my life. Instead of making plans and considering the day to come, I focus on a sacred word and soak myself in divine grace. Many days I spend much of the prayer gently moving myself out of my thoughts and back to the soaking word without ever leaving the world as I know it; however, I have experienced times when the world has melted away and I find myself bathed in the presence of the Unseen One. Even then, I am still sitting in the prayer chair (no levitating to report).
The first time I did centering prayer was in October of 1997 at an all-day workshop with New Jersey’s Contemplative Outreach sponsored by St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth. We did three or four twenty-minute sits in a dark room, and I remember enjoying the experience very much. That night I slept better than I had in years. When I woke up, I told my husband, Brad—“I feel like I was getting all healed up and I didn’t even know I was sick!”
Teresa writes, “If [we] stay the course, prayer will carry [us] into the harbor of light.” Whenever we move off course, we will feel discouraged but we do not need to give up. We can steer ourselves right back to the harbor again. The harbor is close to us, as close as our heartbeat, as close as our breath, and we are always invited to soak in God’s love, peace and presence.
When I started The Wisdom Project, my intention was to increase the regularity of my contemplative prayer life. If you follow the Friday Prayer Reports, you will see that I have been able to keep close to my goal of four or five centering prayer sits every week. These last six weeks have been a blessing to me, and I have seen many positive effects from regular contemplative prayer. I am free to pray other prayers during the day, but for twenty minutes before 8:30 a.m. I am committed to centering prayer.
During the 20 minutes of centering prayer, I open myself to God’s love (presence and action) in my life. Instead of making plans and considering the day to come, I focus on a sacred word and soak myself in divine grace. Many days I spend much of the prayer gently moving myself out of my thoughts and back to the soaking word without ever leaving the world as I know it; however, I have experienced times when the world has melted away and I find myself bathed in the presence of the Unseen One. Even then, I am still sitting in the prayer chair (no levitating to report).
The first time I did centering prayer was in October of 1997 at an all-day workshop with New Jersey’s Contemplative Outreach sponsored by St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth. We did three or four twenty-minute sits in a dark room, and I remember enjoying the experience very much. That night I slept better than I had in years. When I woke up, I told my husband, Brad—“I feel like I was getting all healed up and I didn’t even know I was sick!”
Teresa writes, “If [we] stay the course, prayer will carry [us] into the harbor of light.” Whenever we move off course, we will feel discouraged but we do not need to give up. We can steer ourselves right back to the harbor again. The harbor is close to us, as close as our heartbeat, as close as our breath, and we are always invited to soak in God’s love, peace and presence.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 6
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 5-9:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+ 1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 5-9:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+ 1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter Monday
“[W]henever we think of Christ, we should think of his love. It is with love that he has bestowed so many gifts on us. It is with love that God has given us such a sign and promise of his great love. Love gives rise to more love. Even if we are just beginning on the path and are still very wretched, let us strive to carry this divine love with us wherever we go and to increasingly awaken ourselves in love.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
A blessed Easter Monday to us all!
I don’t know what you are doing today, but part of what I’m doing is resting in the many wonders which surround the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. "Whenever we think of Christ,” Teresa writes, “we should think of his love.” Today I am aware of how often I fall short when it comes to remembering the love of Jesus and the ways it has blessed my life.
Teresa also writes, “It is with love that God has given us such a sign and promise of his great love.” Yes, Jesus points the way for all that is to come. The story of his life, death, and resurrection shows us how much the Creator loves us. One of the first Bible verses I memorized was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” What a wonderful message this verse has been for me throughout my life. It has given rise to a lifetime of thoughts and prayers by many people on the generosity of the One who has created and sustained us and all living things.
During the blessed season of Easter, let us praise God for this outpouring of love. May we never forget that God meets us in love, offers love for us and sprinkles love on us; may we never forget that God rejoices when we share the love we receive with everyone we meet along the way; and may we never forget that our path is soaked in the light and love of God, today and every day. Alleluia!
A blessed Easter Monday to us all!
I don’t know what you are doing today, but part of what I’m doing is resting in the many wonders which surround the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. "Whenever we think of Christ,” Teresa writes, “we should think of his love.” Today I am aware of how often I fall short when it comes to remembering the love of Jesus and the ways it has blessed my life.
Teresa also writes, “It is with love that God has given us such a sign and promise of his great love.” Yes, Jesus points the way for all that is to come. The story of his life, death, and resurrection shows us how much the Creator loves us. One of the first Bible verses I memorized was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” What a wonderful message this verse has been for me throughout my life. It has given rise to a lifetime of thoughts and prayers by many people on the generosity of the One who has created and sustained us and all living things.
During the blessed season of Easter, let us praise God for this outpouring of love. May we never forget that God meets us in love, offers love for us and sprinkles love on us; may we never forget that God rejoices when we share the love we receive with everyone we meet along the way; and may we never forget that our path is soaked in the light and love of God, today and every day. Alleluia!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 5
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 29 - April 2:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 29 - April 2:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Cheryl Husby's Prayer Mugs
“Our Lord always provides opportunities for prayer if we choose to take them.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
This morning I said special prayers for my daughter Rebecca who was having the final meeting for her graduate internship work. People all over the world said special prayers for their children today, and those prayers took as many different forms as the people who prayed them. In my particular case, I used a prayer I learned from my friend Cheryl Husby.
When Cheryl’s daughter, Elissa, went off to college, Cheryl started praying for Elissa every morning as she drank her coffee. All the hopes, dreams and fears mothers have when their children leave home were living in Cheryl’s heart, so she gave it all to the Lord. She would sit quietly in God’s presence, holding her coffee mug and repeating a seven-word prayer for Elissa: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
At Christmastime that year, Cheryl told me about the prayer and how much it meant to her. I wrote down the words of the prayer because I wanted to pray that way, too. Cheryl is a potter by trade, so as the year went on she decided to make coffee mugs for others to use with the words of the prayer stamped on the mug: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
Today as I prayed for Rebecca and all the people who will be with her at the meeting, I used Cheryl’s prayer mug. I drank my coffee in the presence of the Holy One, asking for those in the meeting to feel God’s light: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
After prayer time, I thought of Teresa of Avila who wrote, “Our Lord always provides opportunities for prayer if we choose to take them.” When we are drinking our coffee, when we are walking to the mail box, when we are waiting in our cars at a stop light, there is an opportunity for prayer. We can ask God to protect, help, heal, guide, guard, love and bless us, our loved ones and our enemies. In the days and weeks to come, may we find ourselves more and more able to remember this truth and rely on it every moment of our lives.
This morning I said special prayers for my daughter Rebecca who was having the final meeting for her graduate internship work. People all over the world said special prayers for their children today, and those prayers took as many different forms as the people who prayed them. In my particular case, I used a prayer I learned from my friend Cheryl Husby.
When Cheryl’s daughter, Elissa, went off to college, Cheryl started praying for Elissa every morning as she drank her coffee. All the hopes, dreams and fears mothers have when their children leave home were living in Cheryl’s heart, so she gave it all to the Lord. She would sit quietly in God’s presence, holding her coffee mug and repeating a seven-word prayer for Elissa: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
At Christmastime that year, Cheryl told me about the prayer and how much it meant to her. I wrote down the words of the prayer because I wanted to pray that way, too. Cheryl is a potter by trade, so as the year went on she decided to make coffee mugs for others to use with the words of the prayer stamped on the mug: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
Today as I prayed for Rebecca and all the people who will be with her at the meeting, I used Cheryl’s prayer mug. I drank my coffee in the presence of the Holy One, asking for those in the meeting to feel God’s light: “Protect, Help, Heal, Guide, Guard, Love, Bless.”
After prayer time, I thought of Teresa of Avila who wrote, “Our Lord always provides opportunities for prayer if we choose to take them.” When we are drinking our coffee, when we are walking to the mail box, when we are waiting in our cars at a stop light, there is an opportunity for prayer. We can ask God to protect, help, heal, guide, guard, love and bless us, our loved ones and our enemies. In the days and weeks to come, may we find ourselves more and more able to remember this truth and rely on it every moment of our lives.
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