Friday, March 27, 2009

Dear God,

What is prayer, Lord? What is prayer? When I prayed in bed as I was readying for sleep to come, I saw a puppet maker with strings to people all over the world. One slight jerk and a single puppet dances on the earth.

Tonight as usual I prayed for the whole world. How can I pray for those closest to me if I don't pray for all? But in this strange scenario I saw all the strings being pulled at one time. What is prayer?

By my own prayers alone I ask you to help others, the suffering, the frightened, the abused, misused and mistreated. Do I think you hear the prayer alert and you begin pulling strings? Who is the god in this scene?

It came to me that prayer is a way to keep me involved in the world, not just me but all people who pray. Prayer is a way of softening the human heart; it fills the heart with compassion. It inspires me to help at home and abroad. It makes me look at others with mercy and kindness. Prayer links me with my brother and sister human. It makes me responsible to share my self and my resources with those around me. It keeps me from setting up my own kingdom.

Prayer connects me like a chain link fence with every other creature in the creation. It teaches me to lift others up, those who are sagging, having trouble holding their tiny piece of creation. It causes me to respond in difficult moments. It draws me close to your living heart. I hear and see the heartbeat of God and often I respond in beautiful ways. Not because I am a great prayerer or all that faithful, but rather because with a softened heart, I am enabled to see and hear in deeper and more meaningful ways the cries of the world.

You put
such thoughts
in my head,
O God.
You are always
breaking down
the walls
of tiny boxes
I build.
You
enlarge,
expand
my capabilities,
my courage
and strength,
my love,
trust and faith.
You made me
with a part
of yourself
so I am enabled
to see
as you see,
to hear
as you hear,
to respond
as you respond.
Teach me faithfulness
every waking moment
and even
in my dreams
that I
may become
more effective
in your service
of love.

I desire to honor you, Andrea