tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20142398.post2921576979711143719..comments2023-08-17T08:05:43.229-07:00Comments on The Journey: Prayer/LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028057236879920077noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20142398.post-91977675452153659312011-11-17T03:06:19.374-08:002011-11-17T03:06:19.374-08:00I like to call this "Becoming a Living Prayer...I like to call this "Becoming a Living Prayer." In other words, instead of praying in stops and spurts, prayer becomes such a part of the fabric of our thoughts and our righteous desires for the welfare of others, that our very presence becomes a prayer in behalf of our brothers and sisters on this earth.<br /><br />The last few months, I've been thinking about the commandment to pray without ceasing, and how it is that I can accomplish such a thing. And then I had this a-ha. Let's see if I can explain this. <br /><br />I've been practicing being in the present moment more often and being more mindful in everything I do. Like when I sit down to eat, for example, instead of just saying a prayer of gratitude, which I always do, I pause, and look at the people around the table in acknowledgement, and take a moment to hold the plate or bowl in my hand and look at my food, and perhaps even name the items on my plate. <br /><br />This exercise immediately brings a sense of deep gratitude for the people in my life, for the food I have, and a compassion for that which I have that others in the world do not. <br /><br />This mindfulness, this being aware in the present moment, brings immediate swells of gratitude. And this overflowing gratitude must be put somewhere, and so where does it go? It goes to the Father in a state of prayer. And so I've been thinking about how slowing down and being present leads to gratitude, which leads to an open-hearted prayer. And this is how we can pray without ceasing. <br /><br />Thanks for reminding me.Melaneehttp://www.readytoglow.comnoreply@blogger.com