"Psalms are answering the God who has addressed us. God’s word precedes these words: the prayers don’t seek God, they respond to the God who seeks us.
Presumptuous prayer speaks to God without first listening... You cannot breath out what you have not first breathed in."
----Eugene H. Peterson
In about a month, we will have another "40 Hours Eucharistic Celebration" at our church. You might remember that last year we decided to revive this ancient practice that fell by the wayside in recent times. With the consecrated host(we call it "Jesus") enshrined on the altar for all to see, it is a time for some group prayer, but mostly individual, private, quiet prayer. We keep the church open day and night for 40 hours
and encourage people to stop in for quiet prayer whatever the time.
During this next month I hope to have people consider silent prayer. Our congregation is a talkative, group-oriented bunch, and some think meditative prayer is only for monasteries. So don't be surprised if I use this space to collect thoughts on this.
"Be still and know that I am God."
"I will come to you in the silence."
There was a quote somewhere about the ultimate in contemplative prayer: to be able to hear God listening to us.
The website for the celebration is stnicksfortyhours.blogspot.com and I hope to post some of the group prayers
in mp3 form so you can listen in -------or just be silent with yourself!!
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