Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.
~ Soren Kierkegaard
I admit, I used to pray daily. I found solace in saying prayers and even made up my own which I said everyday. I’ve used affirmations as well which I think are like small prayers to the Divine. But somehow I got too busy for the practice of being present and simply allowing my mind to feel, to pray and to just be. I’ve allowed anxiety and trying to control everything to overtake me. The hustle and bustle of the day, accompanied by having been put in charge of family matters since my Dad passed has put much pressure on me. And I even believe that I am pretty present in my life, but the more I’ve been thinking about it, the more I’m realizing that I’ve lost touch with that sacred part of me and I want it back. I want the safety of allowing life to unfold without the intensity of trying to control and keep tabs on everyone and everything. I long to allow others to help themselves or at least have the freedom to choose what they want without feeling the intense responsibility of making sure that ‘all my ducks are in a row’ and that everyone has what they need/want at all times. Because, I’ve put them all first and in the process, I realize, I’ve lost my own self.
Does this make sense to you? I’m not particularly religious, but I am spiritual. Much to the chagrin of some, I believe what I believe in my heart and I don’t always feel the need to be blatant about what I feel in my heart. I’ve taught my children the power of prayer, the grace of God and how to live a good life. But I don’t feel the need to pound the pulpit nor attend a revival in order to make it so in my life.
But there’s something magical about the sincerity of prayer, about putting to words our supplications and our gratitude for the gifts we have been blessed with in our lives. Simply feeling gratitude for the present moment of being alive is sometimes all that’s needed to get our minds back on track. It’s in that morning dew that I find that solace and peacefulness within my heart. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll get up a few minutes earlier to commune with Mother Nature and with Infinite Spirit/Divine/God/ Source/my inner power. Yes, I think I will do just that and see how my life evolves again.
I’m striving for peace in all I do.
It’s time for a change. Do you want to join me?
Shine On!
xo
What a profound and true quote! Kierkegard was such a great philosopher… thank you Yvonne. 🙂 Love to you!
Love to you too Frederic! ♥
I can totally identify. It is difficult to take that time and find that place sometimes but it really does matter. Thank you for the reminder that I need to center myself today also.
You are so welcome! ♥
One of the scariest things I ever did…. to take a leap of faith without a label.
And my prayers were answered. I didn’t need the label to know how powerful prayer is. Hugs
Thanks for sharing Louise! I love that you allowed yourself to leap and soar! Shine On! ♥
I so agree! My daily early morning walk in nature is my prayer time. It centers me and starts me off with a feeling of connectedness. Your words are so wise and so insightful. Thank you!
Thank you for including me in your prayers. ♥ You are in mine.
Prayer is like breathing to me. Can’t live without it, but more to the point, I can’t live without God. For me, He’s the only true source of peace. Peace to you!
Peace to you too Judy! ♥ I understand.
Yvonne
I understand your angst. Anyone who loves with a responsibility for others, wants the best for them. However, our world does not allow such luxury.
But, there is such a thing as peace, because we have experienced it. To have it abundantly in all circumstances, one must give up the reigns, to one who can best handle them. And when at peace, we can better serve those in our charge.
I keep two quotes close, that I know are most helpful:
“Our hearts are restless, until they rest in Thee.” – St. Augustine and
“In His will, is our peace.” – Dante Alighieri
Pax Cristi,
Alan
Beautiful quotes and I love what you shared Alan. Thank you so very much. xo
Lovely. I like the idea of praying “in”.. toward my heart where I feel an intimate connection with the Divine. I started doing that a few years ago. ❤
Oh I love that idea…pray IN! xoxo
♡♡♡☆☆☆~!
This very post, sounds like a prayer to me!
Diana xo
My heartfelt thanks for your kindness. xo
God loves your made up prayers, the only one’s that are for real?
Oh what a lovely thought! Thank you! ♥
wow … wonderful words. You are SO inspiring! Many thanks.
Thank you for visiting here! ♥
“Commune with mother nature.” That is probably my own form of prayer. Going out into nature and shedding my ego has led to some very powerful spiritual experiences. Thank you, Yvonne.
Oh I HEARTily agree with you that when Nature beckons, we need to go, shed our egos and just be. xo
This is my favorite quote about prayer: ” Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray, I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep woods, and I’d look up into the sky – up . up – up – into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.” – Anne of Green Gabels.
Oh I love when you give me quotes from books I’ve read as a little girl and you inspire me to reread them! You are amazing. xoxo Lots of love to you!
🙂 ❤ 🙂 ❤ Lots and lots of Love to you too lovely Yvonne!! 🙂
Love to you Trini! ♥
❤ ❤ ❤