At his Steeple Tea blog, SK Orr shares his experiences of praying - and suggests a method of actively-writing prayers that he has devised and found effective. Some readers here may also find it helpful; so why not take a look?
He managed to put my exact experience into words. I've always struggled with prayer, justifying my prayerlessness by telling myself my meditations on the Word and God are my prayer. Really they aren't though, they're meditations.
One of the most potent religious experiences I ever had was typed out live on an old word processor. In one of the most discouraging and challenging times of my life, I typed out my questions and complaints, and the answers were dictated back to me. That was 22 years ago, I guess, and that old paper is one of the most potent evidences for Jesus that I possess. I've never had prayer answered so immediately and clearly, and I'm surprised I haven't thought to try that approach more frequently. I honestly find prayer difficult, and maybe the discipline and focus of writing would be a good exercise. Thank you for sharing this article.
This method of praying S.K. describes appeals to me. It also connects well to your idea of "writing as thinking."
ReplyDeleteHe managed to put my exact experience into words. I've always struggled with prayer, justifying my prayerlessness by telling myself my meditations on the Word and God are my prayer. Really they aren't though, they're meditations.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most potent religious experiences I ever had was typed out live on an old word processor. In one of the most discouraging and challenging times of my life, I typed out my questions and complaints, and the answers were dictated back to me. That was 22 years ago, I guess, and that old paper is one of the most potent evidences for Jesus that I possess. I've never had prayer answered so immediately and clearly, and I'm surprised I haven't thought to try that approach more frequently. I honestly find prayer difficult, and maybe the discipline and focus of writing would be a good exercise. Thank you for sharing this article.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bruce, for mentioning my post. I'm constantly grateful and a bit wonderstruck that men like you and some of your readers visit my blog.
ReplyDelete