a mindfulness prayer
How much of your time do you spend tending to your relationships? How important are they? Likely your response is :
“I know my relationships are extremely important and I know I don’t spend enough time nurturing them, but I am so busy that I can’t help it.”
What about your relationship with God, your spirituality? If you are like most, this is typically relegated to a small number of scheduled encounters, such as church attendances or occasional prayer, again limited because of perceived time constraints.
You may find yourself ignoring – or worse – those people who are around you most often and who are of the highest value to you. You may be emotionally unavailable.
Certainly God is with you always and available for lifting your spirit and helping you with power and grace; yet you ignore this ,too, most of the time and – worse – at times think and act against the teachings and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are not always available.
How do we live our faith in a distractible world filled with challenges and perpetual responsibilities?
Well of course time schedules need to be examined and choices made that balance your time, based on your established needs and values. You may have done that already.
The “answer” is both radical and obvious: be Mindful of God’s presence throughout the day. This does not require any more knowledge than you have now. It does not require any additional beliefs or doctrines. It doesn’t even require any significant additional time. In fact, Mindfulness, as we shall see, will assist you with daily obligations, increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Best of all, it will renew and dramatically deepen all your important relationships, particularly that with God. You will be more emotionally and spiritually available.
Well perhaps it’s obvious that this would be nice, but being radically different from your current practices, also is quite unclear how to obtain it in the midst of everyday practical responsibilities. How would it help get the laundry done?
Consider the following example of a “Mindfulness” or centering prayer:
Thank you God for this moment, help me to experience you in it.
This prayer said throughout the day can allow you to be spiritually available. First it centers you to the moment – where God is. Then it asks for help right now at this moment – the only moment you ever can be helped.
Simple prayer such as this Mindfulness Prayer, in its brevity and simplicity, is the fulfillment of Jesus' command that in praying we are (Matthew 6:7-8):
"not to heap up empty phrases as the heathen do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them.“
This does not need to take much of your time. In fact, after some practice, such a prayer does not have to be spoken, with each word articulated aloud or silently – it can be “felt” in an instant – a “grounding” in the presence of the Holy Spirit. If you are fully present during whatever it is that you are obligated to do (including the laundry), and you are filled with the Spirit of the Lord during that activity, could that be helpful? Could that allow you to be more productive, efficient, effective and ethical?
“I know my relationships are extremely important and I know I don’t spend enough time nurturing them, but I am so busy that I can’t help it.”
What about your relationship with God, your spirituality? If you are like most, this is typically relegated to a small number of scheduled encounters, such as church attendances or occasional prayer, again limited because of perceived time constraints.
You may find yourself ignoring – or worse – those people who are around you most often and who are of the highest value to you. You may be emotionally unavailable.
Certainly God is with you always and available for lifting your spirit and helping you with power and grace; yet you ignore this ,too, most of the time and – worse – at times think and act against the teachings and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are not always available.
How do we live our faith in a distractible world filled with challenges and perpetual responsibilities?
Well of course time schedules need to be examined and choices made that balance your time, based on your established needs and values. You may have done that already.
The “answer” is both radical and obvious: be Mindful of God’s presence throughout the day. This does not require any more knowledge than you have now. It does not require any additional beliefs or doctrines. It doesn’t even require any significant additional time. In fact, Mindfulness, as we shall see, will assist you with daily obligations, increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Best of all, it will renew and dramatically deepen all your important relationships, particularly that with God. You will be more emotionally and spiritually available.
Well perhaps it’s obvious that this would be nice, but being radically different from your current practices, also is quite unclear how to obtain it in the midst of everyday practical responsibilities. How would it help get the laundry done?
Consider the following example of a “Mindfulness” or centering prayer:
Thank you God for this moment, help me to experience you in it.
This prayer said throughout the day can allow you to be spiritually available. First it centers you to the moment – where God is. Then it asks for help right now at this moment – the only moment you ever can be helped.
Simple prayer such as this Mindfulness Prayer, in its brevity and simplicity, is the fulfillment of Jesus' command that in praying we are (Matthew 6:7-8):
"not to heap up empty phrases as the heathen do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them.“
This does not need to take much of your time. In fact, after some practice, such a prayer does not have to be spoken, with each word articulated aloud or silently – it can be “felt” in an instant – a “grounding” in the presence of the Holy Spirit. If you are fully present during whatever it is that you are obligated to do (including the laundry), and you are filled with the Spirit of the Lord during that activity, could that be helpful? Could that allow you to be more productive, efficient, effective and ethical?
ANATOMY OF THE MINDFUL PRAYER
This simplest of prayers is only an illustrative example but contains some important pointers toward being spiritually mindful. Let’s examine it in some detail.
This prayer involves praise and thanksgiving to God for this moment. Adoration is common in prayer but what you are appreciating is a most important gift: the present moment. Think about how important this moment really is; in actuality, it is the only time you ever have. It is the only time you have ever had or will ever have. It is where you exist and where God is available.
The prayer is petitionary, as is most common prayer, in that we request that we be receptive to the presence of God. As far as petitions go, it is spiritually based, not physically or emotionally based. You are not asking for physical strength, a competitive edge, or happiness. At least not directly. You are asking that you might be nearer to God.
Notice there is no “Amen” after this prayer. The reason is that the prayer isn’t “over” after the words are stated, that is, after the concepts are brought to mind. This is the most important aspect of this prayer and the key to Mindfulness. In effect, the prayer as stated is your communication to God; what follows is God’s communication to you. You may or may not appreciate or understand this communication, but with faith observe the results with a silent mind, without expectations.
This is unlike many prayers that you may have experienced in that it is intended to be a “living prayer”, a perpetual prayer which does not end. However, unfortunately, it does effectively end as our availability to God dwindles. At any time after that, we can rejuvenate the connection through the same prayer once again.
This prayer involves praise and thanksgiving to God for this moment. Adoration is common in prayer but what you are appreciating is a most important gift: the present moment. Think about how important this moment really is; in actuality, it is the only time you ever have. It is the only time you have ever had or will ever have. It is where you exist and where God is available.
The prayer is petitionary, as is most common prayer, in that we request that we be receptive to the presence of God. As far as petitions go, it is spiritually based, not physically or emotionally based. You are not asking for physical strength, a competitive edge, or happiness. At least not directly. You are asking that you might be nearer to God.
Notice there is no “Amen” after this prayer. The reason is that the prayer isn’t “over” after the words are stated, that is, after the concepts are brought to mind. This is the most important aspect of this prayer and the key to Mindfulness. In effect, the prayer as stated is your communication to God; what follows is God’s communication to you. You may or may not appreciate or understand this communication, but with faith observe the results with a silent mind, without expectations.
This is unlike many prayers that you may have experienced in that it is intended to be a “living prayer”, a perpetual prayer which does not end. However, unfortunately, it does effectively end as our availability to God dwindles. At any time after that, we can rejuvenate the connection through the same prayer once again.
LEARN FROM THE PAST, PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE, LIVE IN THE NOW
Any time is the right time to be mindful of the moment and the Deity’s presence in it. Some instances are particularly helpful. For example, consider again the topic of relationships with those people who are most important to us. Have you ever noticed that it is sometimes easier to be gracious to a stranger than to those with whom we live and love? And that it is easier to experience a spiritual presence during a beautiful sunset while on vacation than when walking down the hallway at work? God is the same in all these situations - but we aren’t.
A key to Mindfulness is being present in this moment, the focus of our example prayer. While it is very important to learn from past successes and mistakes and to prepare for the future, the fact is that doesn’t require all that much time. However, the amount of mental time we spend in non-productive thinking about what has happened or about what might happen is very great indeed.
The past and the future are merely concepts; that is they are thoughts and as such do not exist in the same sense as this moment exists. Time spent on these concepts is time away from our lives, away from reality, away from God’s presence. There are no problems here at this moment alongside the Holy Spirit; problems occur as the mind leaves this moment and dwells on past difficulties (real or imagined) or anticipates future difficulties (all imagined).
We shall make use of situations where we are most available to God to assist training exercises in Mindfulness, but the objective is to bring God into commonplace situations and into times of need where negative emotions are filling our minds and hearts.
A key to Mindfulness is being present in this moment, the focus of our example prayer. While it is very important to learn from past successes and mistakes and to prepare for the future, the fact is that doesn’t require all that much time. However, the amount of mental time we spend in non-productive thinking about what has happened or about what might happen is very great indeed.
The past and the future are merely concepts; that is they are thoughts and as such do not exist in the same sense as this moment exists. Time spent on these concepts is time away from our lives, away from reality, away from God’s presence. There are no problems here at this moment alongside the Holy Spirit; problems occur as the mind leaves this moment and dwells on past difficulties (real or imagined) or anticipates future difficulties (all imagined).
We shall make use of situations where we are most available to God to assist training exercises in Mindfulness, but the objective is to bring God into commonplace situations and into times of need where negative emotions are filling our minds and hearts.
CHRISTIAN MINDFULNESS AND THE PERFECT EXAMPLE
Being constantly spiritually mindful in the midst of the chaos of the world is admittedly a challenging task, difficult even to imagine. Fortunately, there is a perfect example readily available for your consideration – Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains pointers that assist us in achieving Mindfulness through Christ Jesus. Jesus was able to “overcome the world”(John 16:33)
in his perfect and perpetual connection to God.
An implicit element in our example Mindfulness Prayer is that “we ask this in Jesus’ name”. Although implicit, it is a core aspect in achieving the intended focus leading to communication with God. It makes the whole process possible. More on this later.
Jesus was sent as an earthly embodiment of God and spiritual Mindfulness. He gave us illustration of spiritual perfection. More than this, he interceded for humankind by dying on the cross to take on the punishment for mortal sin. And he continues to be available to intercede for all those who approach God through Him. This is Christian Mindfulness.
This book will detail the profound central role that the Holy Trinity can have in our everyday lives, if only we are mindful. By God’s grace, being so will bring us closer to God the Father, particularly in situations that challenge our emotional substance.
in his perfect and perpetual connection to God.
An implicit element in our example Mindfulness Prayer is that “we ask this in Jesus’ name”. Although implicit, it is a core aspect in achieving the intended focus leading to communication with God. It makes the whole process possible. More on this later.
Jesus was sent as an earthly embodiment of God and spiritual Mindfulness. He gave us illustration of spiritual perfection. More than this, he interceded for humankind by dying on the cross to take on the punishment for mortal sin. And he continues to be available to intercede for all those who approach God through Him. This is Christian Mindfulness.
This book will detail the profound central role that the Holy Trinity can have in our everyday lives, if only we are mindful. By God’s grace, being so will bring us closer to God the Father, particularly in situations that challenge our emotional substance.