Epiphany
PB (Prayer Blogger) here with some thoughts/questions - this month about epiphanies, listening and praying.
Epiphany
What does Epiphany mean to you? An epiphany is often defined as a sudden realization of the meaning of something. Pastor Leanne, in her January 8th post to this blog, introduced a new prayer practice called Imaginative Prayer as a way to enhance prayer practices and your epiphanies. Have you tried it? Do you think this practice could help generate epiphanies? Well . . .
Are you listening?
One way to experience epiphanies (or insights) is to listen when we pray. We have powerful examples of listening:
God listens, we know that.
And this is the boldness we have in him,
that if we ask anything according to his will,
he hears us. 1 John 5:14, NRSV
. . . Therefore, we pray.
Jesus listens – during his ministry on earth, when he listened, he listened deeply – he formed questions and parables intended to challenge the disciples (and us). Some of his statements are direct, but many were/are intended to cause the disciples and us to think. When we think, we pray!
. . . We pray for understanding.
The Holy Spirit listens – the Holy Spirit was promised (by Jesus following his resurrection) to be a guide for us . Well, don’t guides listen? The good ones do! They generate thoughts, offer options, and act like a map.
. . . We pray for guidance.
What/who are you listening to? What are you hearing? Where is all of this listening leading/guiding you? (Please offer some comments below)
Pray without ceasing
How do you do that? What does this mean? Here are some thoughts:
Prayer is a conversation with God, but can it also be a gesture? What about the football player who, following a successful touchdown, raises a hand/finger and eyes heavenward? A prayer of thanks or praise?
Is service a prayer? When you volunteer for something or do a kind deed, is that a prayer? When you hand out food at our FAM food distribution every Wednesday, is that a prayer?
What about meditation? Is meditation prayer? This ties in well to the concept of Imaginative Prayer. Meditate on an event (or story, or experience). Put yourself in the story, event or experience. This is imaginative prayer.
Consider a favorite Psalm? Quietly think about a selected word or phrase using Psalm 23 for example:
What does it mean to you? ( “. . . He leads me . . “)
Where does it take your thoughts? ( “ . . . beside still waters”)
What images emerge for you? (“ . . . for you are with me. . . “).
How does it relate to your questions or issues or needs? ( “ . . . The Lord is my shepherd . . .”)
Referring to some of the suggested points from our January 8th posting, was that imaginative? Did it work for you? Was that prayer?
Think about these questions. (Comments will be appreciated below)
Praying for you,
PB
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502