clouds,  gratitude,  landscape,  Poudre River,  quotes,  seasons,  winter scenes

Living This Life

March 6, 2022

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

Kahill Gibran

Many who regularly read my posts are aware of my references to pray and mediation. Both have become integral parts of my life and are how I daily start and end my days.

But, it hasn’t always been that way. I mainly prayed to the God I was introduced to in my upbringing in times of distress or to ask for my needs and wants to be granted, and many times bargaining. Prayer changed once I let go of that concept of God. I began to read and study about prayer from different faith traditions and authors. I’m still searching for a better grasp of prayer, its purpose and the source of that prayer. I enjoy this search.

In all honesty, where I’ve grown the most in prayer is by practicing it. Through practice I’ve come to feel that prayer arises from within me rather than something I consciously do or say. It’s very much an internal dialogue. I’ve heard it said prayer is a the longing of the human heart for God, the Divine or whatever name we use. I enter into prayer in many ways. Prayer is spending time in nature, walking along the Poudre River or watching a sunrise. Being grateful at some deep place within me, I find to be prayer. Or the feeling I experience when I take a deep breath and oxygen enters my lungs is prayer. A good conversation with a friend brings a warm feeling and I know there has been some special connection with them, I find to be prayer also. I could go on but….

I end this by saying I now find prayer to be experiencing joy, gratitude, connection, love, peace, justice and just living this life.

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

6 Comments

  • Bonnie Moore

    March 6, 2022 at 7:49 am

    At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, there are two books I believe you might enjoy–“I Pray Anyway, Devotions for the Ambivalent,” and “I Pray Anyway, Reflections for the Spiritually Cranky.” The books are written by Joyce Wilson-Sanford and I’m happy to share my copies with you if you’ll send your address to Earl’s email. Then I can pick them up when we come out to visit!

    • Monte Stevens

      March 6, 2022 at 10:17 am

      Well, your advertising worked. I order a copy of “I Pray Anyway, Devotions for the Ambivalent” from Abes for $4.00. Sounds like I may like here. I have used many devotional books from Taoist, Christian, Buddhist and 12 Step 12 programs over the years. I looked up Joyce Wilson-Sanford and see she has also just had to begin practicing. I know friends who had struggled with prayer and meditation because the say “I tried but can’t.” Too often that translates to I won’t. I also wonder if many can’t pray or meditate because they have preconceived ideas of what it should be like. Just jump in and keep doing it. That’s how many of us learned to walk and ride a bike and play ball and…

      I also ordered the book because I trust you! And, let me know when you two come out to visit.

      • Bonnie Moore

        March 6, 2022 at 12:43 pm

        I had the privilege of working with Joyce in my previous life and was humbled when she asked several of us for feedback before her first book went to the publisher. Your daily musings have always reminded me of Joyce and her philosophy and experiences in this life. I believe you two have much in common and I’m eager to “hear” what you think of the book! We are hoping to travel your way before this year is up. Of course, a lot depends upon the state of the state and how this ugliness could impact our little corner of the world. But you’re on my bucket list, Monte, so it’s going to happen!