Week 7
LAST FRIDAY I attended the launch of a book entitled Journeying Into Prayer – People and their pathways. It contains 34 brief chapters by New Zealanders from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions. Hindu, Moslem, Sikh and many members of the Christian family invite the reader to reflect on the real power of prayer. There is something awesome and mysterious about the need in every culture to search for meaning and to pray in some form or other. Just as amazing is our individual ability to lift ourselves, even momentarily, into the realm of the spiritual.
LAST FRIDAY I attended the launch of a book entitled Journeying Into Prayer – People and their pathways. It contains 34 brief chapters by New Zealanders from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions. Hindu, Moslem, Sikh and many members of the Christian family invite the reader to reflect on the real power of prayer. There is something awesome and mysterious about the need in every culture to search for meaning and to pray in some form or other. Just as amazing is our individual ability to lift ourselves, even momentarily, into the realm of the spiritual.
Listening to people describe their experience of
praying and learning through them of the many traditions that give birth to
prayer, I was given fresh understanding of the holiness that is at the core of
each individual. Human dignity does not
come from any personal talent, ability, possession or achievement, but from the
incredible fact that we exist. Each of
us can say “I am!” Prayer is a response
of those who want to say thank you for that gift.
Week 6
Maranatha is the word we take into school meditation, repeating it quietly to ourselves during the prayer time. Maranatha is the last word in the Bible, and signals our belief and desire that Jesus will come into our lives. “Come Lord Jesus” spoken in thought is an invitation to friendship, to conversation and to a loving relationship.
The practice of meditation as part of our school’s religious programme has met a ready response from teachers and children. I am constantly impressed by the way whole classes – and even, on occasions the whole school, can sit in silence for several minutes, undisturbed by the sounds around them, such as people arriving late or voices in the corridor. With silence such a luxury in our frenetic and noisy society, it’s as though the inner part of us seeks eagerly for opportunities of quiet and holds them like treasure when they come.
Have you tried meditation at home? Why not sit for minute in quiet reflection at mealtime and invite Jesus into your family? Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.
