Prayer does not change God, but it changes me who prays. Soren Kierkegaard
Meditation: God is always the One who moves towards life, always the One who wants healing, and always the One moving towards justice and reconciliation. Often we forget that. We feel like we have to pray hard as to convince God or to change God’s mind. We are using prayer as a means to “make God” gracious towards us or to hear our needs. God is often being portrait as an authoritarian parent or an angry dictator who we need to “please” or “sooth” by our words. However, when we pray, all of that anxious convincing and influencing of God is not needed. Instead, prayer is meant to remind us of who God is. Prayer means entering the realm of God that changes us. As a plant turns and grows towards the light, so prayer turns us towards God and in the direction of life. We are being exposed to God’s very nature. We are being embraced by light. We are filled with new life. Prayer renews in us healing thoughts and new hope for justice and peace.
Prayer: God, You get tired of our prayers filled with anxious pleading. Thank you that we can come to You with or without words and just be in Your presence. Thank you that prayer does not mean having to influence You or work towards a certain outcome, but that prayer means just being honest, vulnerable and open to Your life giving and healing presence. And we are grateful. Amen
When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8
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