“As I see it, contemplative prayer is simply an intimate sharing between friends. It’s about frequently taking time to be alone with the One who loves us. If the friendship is to endure, the love must be honored and tended. The will of the two friends needs to be in harmony.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
This past weekend my husband, Brad, and I went to Little McDonald Lake near Perham, Minnesota, to help my parents close their lake place for the winter. I have been looking forward to our time with them because it’s always good to be together. Mom and Dad had almost everything “buttoned up,” so instead of frantically working we spent most of our time doing fun things—walking, talking, watching football and sharing meals. What I liked best is that Brad and I had the whole weekend to enjoy the company of my parents.
In the reading for today, Teresa explains what prayer is all about. “It’s about frequently taking time to be alone with the One who loves us,” she writes. “If the friendship is to endure, the love must be honored and tended. The will of the two friends needs to be in harmony.”
My favorite prayer times are very much like a wonderful weekend with my parents. I am with the One who loves me, just enjoying time together. The love we share is honored and tended through those precious minutes, and I find myself in harmony with the One Who Made Me. To pray is to place myself in God’s presence—kind of like driving to Little McDonald Lake to see my parents—and then experiencing God’s grace, wisdom, and companionship.
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