A few years ago TIJ had a prompt asking us to compose a prayer. I just revisited what I wrote at the time. To sum up the prayer I composed I prayed for happiness, health and freedom for all. For the ability to give others the benefit of the doubt. The capability to hear both sides of a story without rushing to judgement. The willingness to be kind to others and to treat them as we would want to be treated ourselves. The ability to be patient and compassionate with those whose decisions we feel are harmful to them and the capability to be empathetic towards those who are not ready to change. Finally I asked for the willingness to forgive those who have wronged me even if they are not sorry so as not to experience the pain of holding a grudge. These are all things I pray for. And aspire to. Another part of prayer I find very important is taking the time to be grateful for what I have already even though I may be going through difficult times.
I recently returned from a trip to Italy with my husband. Italy is the land of churches. We visited countless churches and one beautiful synagogue. At every church my husband stopped to pray. Sometimes I too prayed alongside him, but I also took the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and age of these buildings.We saw several churches that were built as early as 386 CE. The fact that people were able to build these massive buildings with so few tools and that the buildings are still standing albeit with additions and repairs is awe inspiring. The depth of belief in God and the beauty of the artwork depicting those beliefs are indescribable.
I do not know exactly what prayer is and to whom I am praying, but for me it is important to try to take the time to be grateful for what I have, to wish the best for others and to appreciate that I am but a small speck in time and in the universe.
When my children were young, I lamented not having a pre-meal prayer ritual. I grew up in a very strict Catholic family that recited the Lord’s Prayer before dinner like it was the end to a means (let’s eat, already!). I didn’t want to introduce another obligatory prayer to my children. I searched and searched for an appropriate alternative that could encompass the shear gratitude for all the unique qualities in each of us and how we might honor these gifts. No prayer or poem seemed full or important enough. Then, finally, one day I read these words printed in a local paper, spoken by a Native American at the Riverfront Green in Peekskill. “We give thanks to the Creator who gives one heart, one mind, one soul. We must keep a healthy mind, take care of our bodies and get along with one another. We must believe what’s in our heart and follow our path.” These lovely simple phrases poured into my soul. They described and celebrated everything I wanted my children to learn. My prayers (for a prayer) had been answered! For over 30 years now, before my family shares a meal together, no matter who we share it with, we take a short moment to hold hands, look into each other’s eyes and gently speak these simple words.
Awesome! Such a cool prayer. I am amazed this prayer has been recited together before family meals for so many years. What a wonderful way to pray together!
Thanks for this surprise. Deep calls to deep. For me prayer is way of life, including embodiment, sometimes using words. I pray in adoration, gratitude, intercession, anguish, song, for loved ones and others, as the Spirit leads. I sometimes pray for enemies. I pray in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. “I am talking about prayer--prayer not as speaking to God, which in a scattered way I do many times a day because I cannot help doing it, but prayer as being deeply silent, as watching and listening for God to speak.” (Frederick Buechner). “All prayer is communion, not only between God and me, but between everybody in beloved community and myself. All prayer takes us into the communion of saints. Perhaps it would be helpful to think that when I am praying I am closely united with everybody who ever prayed and everybody now praying. (Thomas Merton). Giving thanks for this community!
Kicked out of my father’s house as a teen I prayed if you get me out of this I will be yours forever never turn my back on anyone in need. And then I stood up and did everything I could to save myself. The irony of supplication. In child’s pose everything seems possible. And then we keep moving.
Once Brittany came into the learning center carring a small BIBLE---our mothers were dead. Mine long ago and hers murdered by her father. We shared prayers-both of us were visited by our mothers- and heard music-- some is lost in translation-but it is true.
When I was in training in NYC to become an interfaith minister we were required to go to different religious communities to experience how they pray, their beliefs and receive a wider perspective on how in different religions people pray. Done with curiosity without judgment. One of the religious institutions I prayed at was the Muslim Mosque on East 96th St, NYC. Men and women prayer separately. So I joined the women in prayer, and I see this beautiful, elegant strong 80 year old woman, in her robes, get down on the ground & then standup 5 times each prayer doing this for an hour. She was as strong and spry as the younger ones. Like Suleika said about her grandmother’s prostrations, I too felt the same way and I said to myself- I bet she’s been prostrating since she was 5, and that’s probably what has kept her so spry. It was amazing to watch. I couldn’t do it! But it felt great to feel all of their powerful energy. I prayed in my own , quiet, peaceful way and it was an eye opening experience. PS The Amman is head of this Mosque ands supposed to run it smoothly, but at the time I visited, the Amman’s secretary was running the entire Mosque on her own, while the Amman had a meeting for the full hour I was there. I had originally made an appointment with him, but his secretary led me on a tour and she was bright, beautiful, kind and loving. She should’ve been in charge! A wonderful, learning experience for me. Insallah!
In my 20s, I lived in ashrams And we often gave obeisances, Kneeled and placed our foreheads to the ground. Most of the time I was thinking about something else. later in life With two sons and a husband who was in and out of jail and mental hospitals, my life fell apart, and I lay on the ground and prayed, really prayed. I surrendered and I thought of Arjuna at the battle of Kurukshetra when he Surrendered to Krishna, Who appeared to drive his chariot. That deep surrender is so freeing because we no longer feel that everything is up to us. Letting go letting God is companionship . I learned to understand that I was no longer alone🙏🏻
Dear Susu, I would love to send you a copy of my memoir, “Quiet Mind Crazy Heart “. I think you would enjoy it and certainly get some good laughs. If you have a business address or post office I can send it to you.
I loved this, Suleika. Especially as I just arrived in London yesterday to visit my niece. I’ve been curled up in the softest bed with her cat watching me from my feet, journaling in blissful solitude this morning. It’s a luxury seldom found at home as I have a dog and two cats and a bird paradise in my backyard that all beg me to tend to them first. Honouring my body has always taken a back seat. But over the next couple of weeks I have carved out a little window from which to look out while taking a rest. And I hope to write and see what mental adventures will result from this little escape. Praying you honour your rest in between brush strokes. 😊
“Please just a little longer in these bones” - thank you. That speaks to me. And seeing your work from another angle, so literally. I saw Marcus Miller play and take the audience to another place with math last night. It’s all feeling very connected this morning, reading this 📐 🎷
Dearest IJ Community...I need to drop out for awhile. The death of both of my parents in March has left me void of joy and I need to just be sad. Thank you, all you beautiful people for this group.
dearest Mary. the heart for "like" was a heart for "love". i send you much love and will miss you and think of you during this sad time. take care of yourself.
Every morning as my meditation I thank God but truly I am praying to spirit to something outside of myself, and I take a moment to be quiet within. I do feel the connection of prayer as an inner world tuning fork, trusting that with my own inner peace I will send something necessary like healing and love to our world.
What is prayer? For me it is the presence of Beauty. It is the sound of a flute. Prayer is a giving action. I take photographs of Beauty, be it a flower, a river filled with glittering Sunshine, or a snake run over by a car(for there beneath the image of roadkill lies the departed spirit of a living creature). I pray by honoring this Beauty, and then, as a part of the prayer, I send these images out to the world. When I pick up a Native American style wooden flute, or a Japanese bamboo Shakuhachi flute, I prepare my breath, deepen it, and pray by sending soothing sounds out into the world. Beauty is my prayer. And whether photograph or flute sounds, I express my gratitude for such Beauty. And I share this as a part of my prayers. 🏮
“To me, the ground feels like a sacred place, whether you end up there for reasons of exhaustion, desperation, or gratitude.” Indeed, Suleika
Prayer is an all-day everyday conversation with the One that guides and steers and reminds and quiets and laughs and cries with me. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (ps. 56:3). I can be afraid or sad or shimmering, I ask, so what does this mean? How should I be present for this? Or—Help? Help me contain my joy, loneliness, my desire, please?!
Prayer is everyday all-day, an act I can’t live without.🙏🏾
To pray, no words are necessary.
Be still in the silence.
Listen. Breathe.
You will know.
A few years ago TIJ had a prompt asking us to compose a prayer. I just revisited what I wrote at the time. To sum up the prayer I composed I prayed for happiness, health and freedom for all. For the ability to give others the benefit of the doubt. The capability to hear both sides of a story without rushing to judgement. The willingness to be kind to others and to treat them as we would want to be treated ourselves. The ability to be patient and compassionate with those whose decisions we feel are harmful to them and the capability to be empathetic towards those who are not ready to change. Finally I asked for the willingness to forgive those who have wronged me even if they are not sorry so as not to experience the pain of holding a grudge. These are all things I pray for. And aspire to. Another part of prayer I find very important is taking the time to be grateful for what I have already even though I may be going through difficult times.
I recently returned from a trip to Italy with my husband. Italy is the land of churches. We visited countless churches and one beautiful synagogue. At every church my husband stopped to pray. Sometimes I too prayed alongside him, but I also took the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and age of these buildings.We saw several churches that were built as early as 386 CE. The fact that people were able to build these massive buildings with so few tools and that the buildings are still standing albeit with additions and repairs is awe inspiring. The depth of belief in God and the beauty of the artwork depicting those beliefs are indescribable.
I do not know exactly what prayer is and to whom I am praying, but for me it is important to try to take the time to be grateful for what I have, to wish the best for others and to appreciate that I am but a small speck in time and in the universe.
I love revisiting my old journal entries. There is so much to learn.
When my children were young, I lamented not having a pre-meal prayer ritual. I grew up in a very strict Catholic family that recited the Lord’s Prayer before dinner like it was the end to a means (let’s eat, already!). I didn’t want to introduce another obligatory prayer to my children. I searched and searched for an appropriate alternative that could encompass the shear gratitude for all the unique qualities in each of us and how we might honor these gifts. No prayer or poem seemed full or important enough. Then, finally, one day I read these words printed in a local paper, spoken by a Native American at the Riverfront Green in Peekskill. “We give thanks to the Creator who gives one heart, one mind, one soul. We must keep a healthy mind, take care of our bodies and get along with one another. We must believe what’s in our heart and follow our path.” These lovely simple phrases poured into my soul. They described and celebrated everything I wanted my children to learn. My prayers (for a prayer) had been answered! For over 30 years now, before my family shares a meal together, no matter who we share it with, we take a short moment to hold hands, look into each other’s eyes and gently speak these simple words.
Oh my- what a beautiful prayer ❤️ Native American Spirituality always lands smack dab on target! Thanks for sharing
Love this and took a screenshot
This is beautiful...thank you!
Awesome! Such a cool prayer. I am amazed this prayer has been recited together before family meals for so many years. What a wonderful way to pray together!
Thanks for this surprise. Deep calls to deep. For me prayer is way of life, including embodiment, sometimes using words. I pray in adoration, gratitude, intercession, anguish, song, for loved ones and others, as the Spirit leads. I sometimes pray for enemies. I pray in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. “I am talking about prayer--prayer not as speaking to God, which in a scattered way I do many times a day because I cannot help doing it, but prayer as being deeply silent, as watching and listening for God to speak.” (Frederick Buechner). “All prayer is communion, not only between God and me, but between everybody in beloved community and myself. All prayer takes us into the communion of saints. Perhaps it would be helpful to think that when I am praying I am closely united with everybody who ever prayed and everybody now praying. (Thomas Merton). Giving thanks for this community!
Love this so much. Thank you for sharing these quotes from Buechner & Merton
Beautifully said.
Your post really expresses how I engage in prayer each day. It is communal, and at times it is very silent and meditative...Thank you!
❤️🙏
Amen!
I went to a talk by Anne Lamott and she referred to Buechner. He's now on my list of people to listen to.
Kicked out of my father’s house as a teen I prayed if you get me out of this I will be yours forever never turn my back on anyone in need. And then I stood up and did everything I could to save myself. The irony of supplication. In child’s pose everything seems possible. And then we keep moving.
I used to pray
I led the prayers of my tribe
I bore the weight of expectations
I had answers then and knew I was heard
Now I sit in silence
No prayers
No tribe
No weight of expectation
No answers
I am finally heard
Once Brittany came into the learning center carring a small BIBLE---our mothers were dead. Mine long ago and hers murdered by her father. We shared prayers-both of us were visited by our mothers- and heard music-- some is lost in translation-but it is true.
When I was in training in NYC to become an interfaith minister we were required to go to different religious communities to experience how they pray, their beliefs and receive a wider perspective on how in different religions people pray. Done with curiosity without judgment. One of the religious institutions I prayed at was the Muslim Mosque on East 96th St, NYC. Men and women prayer separately. So I joined the women in prayer, and I see this beautiful, elegant strong 80 year old woman, in her robes, get down on the ground & then standup 5 times each prayer doing this for an hour. She was as strong and spry as the younger ones. Like Suleika said about her grandmother’s prostrations, I too felt the same way and I said to myself- I bet she’s been prostrating since she was 5, and that’s probably what has kept her so spry. It was amazing to watch. I couldn’t do it! But it felt great to feel all of their powerful energy. I prayed in my own , quiet, peaceful way and it was an eye opening experience. PS The Amman is head of this Mosque ands supposed to run it smoothly, but at the time I visited, the Amman’s secretary was running the entire Mosque on her own, while the Amman had a meeting for the full hour I was there. I had originally made an appointment with him, but his secretary led me on a tour and she was bright, beautiful, kind and loving. She should’ve been in charge! A wonderful, learning experience for me. Insallah!
In my 20s, I lived in ashrams And we often gave obeisances, Kneeled and placed our foreheads to the ground. Most of the time I was thinking about something else. later in life With two sons and a husband who was in and out of jail and mental hospitals, my life fell apart, and I lay on the ground and prayed, really prayed. I surrendered and I thought of Arjuna at the battle of Kurukshetra when he Surrendered to Krishna, Who appeared to drive his chariot. That deep surrender is so freeing because we no longer feel that everything is up to us. Letting go letting God is companionship . I learned to understand that I was no longer alone🙏🏻
"We no longer feel that everything is up to us." ❤️
Dear Susu, I would love to send you a copy of my memoir, “Quiet Mind Crazy Heart “. I think you would enjoy it and certainly get some good laughs. If you have a business address or post office I can send it to you.
I can send it through ChristineMerrill if you like. We are good friends🙏🏻
I loved this, Suleika. Especially as I just arrived in London yesterday to visit my niece. I’ve been curled up in the softest bed with her cat watching me from my feet, journaling in blissful solitude this morning. It’s a luxury seldom found at home as I have a dog and two cats and a bird paradise in my backyard that all beg me to tend to them first. Honouring my body has always taken a back seat. But over the next couple of weeks I have carved out a little window from which to look out while taking a rest. And I hope to write and see what mental adventures will result from this little escape. Praying you honour your rest in between brush strokes. 😊
I hope you have the most glorious period of rest and adventure. ❤️
“Please just a little longer in these bones” - thank you. That speaks to me. And seeing your work from another angle, so literally. I saw Marcus Miller play and take the audience to another place with math last night. It’s all feeling very connected this morning, reading this 📐 🎷
Dearest IJ Community...I need to drop out for awhile. The death of both of my parents in March has left me void of joy and I need to just be sad. Thank you, all you beautiful people for this group.
Sending all of our love to you, dear Mary. ❤️
Grief is its own prayer.
Love to you Mary
Much love to you, Mary 🩷
Sending love through the ether to you dear Mary.🙏
What a good idea, letting the sadness in. I have lost both my parents, not even recently. I am ready to grieve more now.
Let our love in as you like.
I await your return.
I'm so sorry, Mary! Take good care of you and we will be here.
So much loss in a short period of time💔 Prayers for you in your grief and finding your way to the new normal 🙏
I am so sorry for your loss and wish you peace.
dearest Mary. the heart for "like" was a heart for "love". i send you much love and will miss you and think of you during this sad time. take care of yourself.
I will truly miss you, Mary, but look forward to your return. Take care of your heart and know you will be in my prayers.
Every morning as my meditation I thank God but truly I am praying to spirit to something outside of myself, and I take a moment to be quiet within. I do feel the connection of prayer as an inner world tuning fork, trusting that with my own inner peace I will send something necessary like healing and love to our world.
“Prayer as an inner world tuning fork” ❤️
I love this, too!
Thanks for the tuning fork image. Very cool & thought provoking.
I am enjoying the memory of hearing the vibrations of a tuning fork but also feeling them.
What is prayer? For me it is the presence of Beauty. It is the sound of a flute. Prayer is a giving action. I take photographs of Beauty, be it a flower, a river filled with glittering Sunshine, or a snake run over by a car(for there beneath the image of roadkill lies the departed spirit of a living creature). I pray by honoring this Beauty, and then, as a part of the prayer, I send these images out to the world. When I pick up a Native American style wooden flute, or a Japanese bamboo Shakuhachi flute, I prepare my breath, deepen it, and pray by sending soothing sounds out into the world. Beauty is my prayer. And whether photograph or flute sounds, I express my gratitude for such Beauty. And I share this as a part of my prayers. 🏮
Love this: “Beauty is my prayer.”
I feel like that when I sing: the breath is the prayer.🗣️
“To me, the ground feels like a sacred place, whether you end up there for reasons of exhaustion, desperation, or gratitude.” Indeed, Suleika
Prayer is an all-day everyday conversation with the One that guides and steers and reminds and quiets and laughs and cries with me. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (ps. 56:3). I can be afraid or sad or shimmering, I ask, so what does this mean? How should I be present for this? Or—Help? Help me contain my joy, loneliness, my desire, please?!
Prayer is everyday all-day, an act I can’t live without.🙏🏾
Amen, and again, I say, Amen!
❤️🙏
I was raised in a very devout Christian family. Life has changed my beliefs. When I pray now it’s to Sweet Mama, a magical being.
It’s complicated but she helps me.
Sweet Mama-love this ❤️