What is Prayer?

Expanding the concept of prayer...one beautiful poem at a time...

 

 

 

 

 

What is Prayer?  

 

Prayer is intimacy with the Great Mystery.

Be every moment aware of the Presence —

how you are loved!

 

She takes off Her wings

to heal you, He surrenders

everything for your sake.

At all times in every

hidden, open place

It lives in your deep

soul’s core, It moves

in your moving and acts

through your skin

and the skin or bark or shell

of all living beings—  forms of angels,

and also of water, rocks, and fire.

 

So be awake to the life that is loving you

and sing your prayer, laugh your prayer,

dance your prayer, run and weep and

sweat your prayer,

sleep your prayer, eat your prayer,

paint, sculpt, hammer and read your prayer,

sweep, dig, rake, drive and hoe your prayer,

garden and farm and build and clean your prayer,

wash, iron, vacuum, sew, embroider and pickle your prayer,

compute, touch, bend and fold, but never delete

or mutilate your prayer.

 

Learn and play your prayer,

work and rest your prayer,

fast and feast your prayer,

argue, talk, whisper, listen and shout your prayer,

groan and moan and spit and sneeze your prayer,

swim and hunt and cook your prayer,

digest and become your prayer.

 

Release and recover your prayer.

Breathe your prayer.

Be your prayer.

 

Let prayer be your thinking

and thriving, your passionate

living and humble dying

back into Earth and God.

Let prayer be your senses and sex,

your political power, your confusion

and vision for good.

 

Let teaching tolerance and all childcare be prayer.

Let your mistakes be a prayer, and your unknowing.

Let remorse and forgiveness be prayer.

 

Make love in every act,

create growth in each intent.

Nature in any form serves

as sanctuary and temple.

 

Let your bath be an oracle chamber,

every trip anywhere a pilgrimage,

and your dream bed each night

the Holy of Holies.

 

And so you are praying.

So you do what you be,

and all your being is blessed

and all your life is a prayer.

And all your acts are a blessing.

 

           Alla Renée Bozarth

 

From Moving to the Edge of the World

by Alla Renée Bozarth, iUniverse 2003. All rights reserved.

For permission to reprint or for any other reason, contact

the poet at allabearheart@yahoo.com Write “Permission”

or “Poetry” in the subject line. Also see

http://allabozarthbooks.blogspot.com/

 

 

photo by Helen Forshee taken at Butchart Gardens, B.C.

 

What will you do with your prayer?

 

Growth means Change

 

People have asked, “Whatever happened to Roberta?” Well, I am still here! I find lots of wonderful things to post but never quite get around to actually putting them on my blog. This in part is due to my scattered sense of self as I continue to grasp all the changes my husband and I have recently gone through with our business, our family and our dreams.

Last Thanksgiving we were struggling with the idea of closing our business, dissolving a partnership, familial estrangement and the panic that comes with drowning in debt. That was one year ago. What looked hopeless in our eyes was not. So during this Thanksgiving meal we expressed our gratitude for all that has happened since that last Thanksgiving:

In January we closed the statuary, and the world did not end. It was actually a relief. Then we sold our house after 5 years on and off the market. This was a relief, both emotionally and financially. And because we are not quite sure how we want to live (i.e. move into a house, buy a 5^th wheel, etc.) we chose to accept our daughter Faith’s invitation to move in with her family. Talk about downsizing! We are now in the process of paying down debt, and waiting for whatever is next…..

But as often happens, life happens as you wait….and a fine life it is! David is working less and spending more weekends at home (which is a very good thing) and I am working more. I’m enjoying the C.N.A. life skill classes I teach at the college, and the sacred time I spend with my Spiritual Directees. I’m slowly edging away from my role as Director of Spiritual Formation at St. Paul’s as I have recently taken on the position of part-time Chaplain for Assured Hospice here in Sequim! I was not expecting this. But then again, one never expects the gifts God brings. I have so much to learn and look forward to more growth…and we especially give thanks for our recent reconnection with our estranged family members.

As for the blog, I will be posting Advent reflections (which start next week) and of course the Wise Men will be making their annual appearance. They have been with me through all the changes and they too have had to deal with changes – like losing their home on their shelf…you know what whiners they can be!

In the meantime, know that I think of all of you….every day….and am grateful for such wonderful people in my life….May we all be at peace with our own souls….and with one another….

Roberta

forgiveness blessing

I’m giving a Celtic Blessing Workshop this Saturday

and my mind is filled with blessings.

So over the next several days I’m going to share blessings

 from the master, John O’Donohue.

What I love about blessings is that they are a continual calling forth,

 wrapped in warmth.

Here’s part of one we could all hear over and over.

 

“May all that is unforgiven in you be released.”

To Bless the Space Between Us, p.97

 

art work: abundance

by Melanie Weidner

 

a celtic blessing

May the blessing of

the Gatherer of Hope

the Bringer of Springtime

the Brightener of Seasons

be upon you as you set forth today.

 

Laughter of the running hours be yours.

Lightness and joy be yours.

And may the blessing of the Triune God

protect you and guide you.

 

-Celtic Blessing

 

My favorite blessing

"Live without fear; your Creator has made you holy,

has always protected you, and loves you as a mother.

Go in peace to follow the good road

and may God's blessing be with you always. 

Amen."

Happy Feast Day, St. Clare of Assisi! 

one can never receive too many blessings

"May the Maker's blessing be yours,

encircling you round

above you

within you.

May the angels' blessing be yours

and the joy of the saints

to inspire you

to cherish you.

May the Son's blessing be yours,

the wine and the water,

the bread and the stories

to feed you

to remind you.

May the Spirit's blessing be yours,

the wind, the fire,

the still small voice

to comfort you

to disturb you.

And may my own blessing be yours -

a blessing rooted in our common pilgrimage,

the blessing of a friend."

from

The Pattern of Our Days,

Worship in the Celtic Tradition

from the Iona Community

edited by K. Galloway

p. 157

photo of Iona Abbey

Intentions & Transformations

"There is a huge force field that opens

when intention focuses and directs itself

toward transformation."

- John O'Donohue

I recently took my granddaughter down to Kah Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend. Lydia, who is 9, was intrigued from the moment she entered the park. It was all I could do to keep her on the path as she darted to and fro, talking at 100 miles a minute, while touching wildflowers and pointing out all the strange bugs. I could hear myself saying, "be careful" and "don't get too far ahead" and other sorts of adult admonitions. It wasn't until she ran straight towards a tree (off the path of course), wrapped her arms around it and exclaimed, "Oh Grandma! this is my favorite tree in the whole wide world" that I realized that she was having a completely different experience than I was. She was seeing through a child's eyes. Lydia was intent on blessing everything in her path and her intention was having a direct effect on me - it was actually transforming me.

John O'Donohue penned a beautiful book of blessings* several years ago that never ceases to move me. Listen to these words: "We have no idea the effect we actually have on one another. This is where blessing can achieve so much. Blessing as powerful and positive intention can transform situations and people. The force of blessing must be even more powerful when we consider how the intention of blessing corresponds with the deepest desire of reality for creativity, healing, and wholesomeness. Blessing has pure agency because it animates on the deepest threshold between being and becoming; it mines the territories of memory to awaken and draw forth possibilities we cannot even begin to imagine!" **

As I watched Lydia hug her tree I wondered if the tree was aware of her blessing, her love. And as we reached the water's edge and Lydia dipped her hand into the cold current, I began to sense that the water was enjoying the pureness of her attention. I was crossing the threshold between my perception of the park and Lydia's...and with that came a deep sense of kindness towards my surroundings. It's amazing to think of the power of one's intentions, isn't it? May we remain open to all the blessings that are coming our way today.

* To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue, Copyright 2008
** quote from page 217

Ode to Soup

"As the days grow short,

some faces grow long.
But not mine.
Every Autumn,
when the wind turns cold
and darkness comes early,
I am suddenly happy.
It's time to start making soup again."
- Leslie Newman

"Soup puts the heart at ease,
calms down the violence of hunger,

eliminates the tension of the day,

and awakens and refines the appetite."

-Auguste Escoffier

Lydia's Joy

Today Lydia Joy was baptized!

Sustain her O Lord, in your Holy Spirit.

Give her an inquiring and discerning heart,

the courage to will and to presevere,

a spirit to know and to love you,

and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

Amen.

The Baptismal Covenant

I will faithfully continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.

Where there is evil, I will resist it.

Whenever I fall into sin, I will repent and return to the Lord.

I will proclaim, by both word and example, the Good News of God in Christ.
I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.

I will strive for justice and peace, among all people,

and respect the dignity of every human being.

Brawling for a Blessing

Today's Old Testament reading was from Genesis 32 - the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel.

Do you recall this wild story of Jacob's spending an entire night brawling for a blessing?

"In overcoming God you are overcome.

God enjoys a good fight as much as an Irish publican.

From hearts that struggle there is the hope of honest love.

A lover does not want gratitude or compliance;

soggy affection is no more appealing than cold porridge.

Nothing short of a free and equal passion will suffice.

If such love must be won from long and painful wrestling,

better that than an insipid pretence which does not stir the gut.

It is possible to keep running for a long time.

But once you join battle with the Stranger, you are at risk.

- Michael Riddell from Godzone: A Traveller's Guide, 1992

quote from here

i would also say that cold affection is no more appealing than soggy porridge!

Art: Jacob Wrestling with the Angel, by Ben-Zion, 1935



Blessing of the Animals

"Dear St. Francis,

The animals here today are doing good and have good homes.

The birds are fine too but our oceans are filled with oil.

Help the animals that are hurting and please make them better.

Amen."

Lydia, Age 8

photo: this is the cover of the most amazing 2011 calendar.

they sold like hotcakes at our animal blessing today!

Welcome Fred

Congrats Faith and Chris!

After a very long day we are delighted to welcome

Fredrick Christopher to the world....the only child

I've ever known to be born on his due date.

Something tells me Fred is never going to be late for school!

57 Candles

This is what 57 looks like on fire:

"How long the road is. But, for all the time

the journey has already taken, how you have needed

every second of it in order to learn what

the road passes by."

-Dag Hammarskjold, Markings

ain't it the truth!

if you are lucky enough to have a birthday this year,

light all the freakin' candles!

then give thanks for each and every one.

and as you pull them from the cake,

recall something from each year.

and whether it's a good memory or not, give thanks.

for all of it has brought you to who you are at this moment,

a beautiful, loved, human being created in God's image.
and what could be better than that?

Shouldn't someone know me?

While wandering through a Seattle area nursery which is famous for its Christmas displays, my daughter and I bumped into a group of senior citizens who were on a field trip of sorts. An  elderly women stopped right in front of me and asked in an almost accusing tone,  "Do you know me?" I said, "I'm sorry, no I don't" and we stepped aside to let the group pass us.

Several minutes later our paths crossed again and the same woman stepped towards me, searched my face, and said, "What's your name?"  When I told her she replied, "I had a name once but it was not the one I wanted" and then, "Are you my niece?" I said "No, I'm afraid I'm not your niece," while her caregiver took her arm and gently guided her back to the rest of the group who were continuing their trek through the Christmas displays. My daughter and I exchanged empathetic glances as we realized the level of this woman's distress.

A third encounter came to pass within another ten minutes. I had my back turned when I heard the questioning woman talking to my daughter. She said, "Do you know me?" My daughter tried to comfort her and as I walked towards them the anxious woman looked around and then toward the ceiling and said in a very loud voice, "Shouldn't someone know who I am?"

I wondered how many in the store were wondering the same thing but were not voicing it.  This woman was distraught because of an illness that was claiming her memories.  What about those of us who keep ourselves just busy enough to not have to think about our own fears?  of not being known?  of not being wanted?  of not being loved?  From the words of this stranger came the best gift.  The reminder that the one who knows who we are is of the now and the not yet.  So with eyes focused on the star in the East, may our footsteps remain headed toward that stable where we are all known and loved. 

blessings

You are an alleluia,

a special, unique,

unrepeatable human being.

There has never been anyone

like you and never will be.

You are the joy of God's creation.
— The Blessing Candles

I'm sharing my favorite birthday blessing as today is my daughter's 28th birthday - we will be celebrating it next week when she visits with her family.

In the meantime my heart aches for my friend Holly & the loss of her husband Roger in a tragic helicopter accident last Sunday. I believe this same blessing applies to him also:

Roger, you are an alleluia,
a special, unique,
unrepeatable human being.
There has never been anyone
like you and never will be.
You continue to be the joy of God's creation.

Eternal life is eternal memory

"The nature of calendar time is linear; it is made up of durations that begin and end. The Celtic imagination always sensed that beneath time there was eternal depth. This offers us a completely different way of relating to time. It relieves time of the finality of ending. While something may come to an ending on the surface of time, its presence, meaning, and effect continue to be held and integrated into the eternal.

This is how spirit unfolds and deepens. In this sense, eternal time is intimate; it is where the unfolding narrative of individual life is gathered and woven. Eternal life is eternal memory; therefore it becomes possible to imagine a realm beyond endings where all that has unfolded is not canceled or lost, but where the spirit-depths of it are already arriving home." John O'Donohue To Bless the Space Between Us, p. 157
How encouraging is that!

Being at Home in Oneself

"When a person is at home in his life,
he always has a clear instinct about the shape of outer situations;
even in the midst of confusion
he can discern the traces of a path forward.

When one is at home in oneself, one is integrated and enjoys a sense of balance and poise.
In a sense that is exactly what spirituality is:
the art of homecoming."

John O'Donohue
To Bless the Space Between Us p. 82

A Birthday Blessing

This is the birthday of one Christine Rich. I found this in the book that she gave me for my birthday last month - Enjoy!

For Your Bithday by John O'Donohue


Blessed be the mind that dreamed the day
The blueprint of your life
Would begin to glow on earth,
Illuminating all the faces and voices
That would arrive to invite
Your soul to growth.

Praised be your father and mother,
Who loved you before you were,
And trusted to call you here
With no idea who you would be.

Blessed be those who have loved you
Into becoming who you were meant to be,
Blessed be those who have crossed your life
With dark gifts of hurt and loss
That have helped to school your mind
In the art of disappointment.

When desolations surrounded you,
Blessed be those who looked for you
And found you, their kind hands
Urgent to open a blue window
In the gray wall formed around you.

Blessed be the gifts you never notice,
Your health, eyes to behold the world,
Thoughts to countenance the unknown,
Memory to harvest vanished days,
Your heart to feel the world's waves,
Your breath to breathe the nourishment
Of distance made intimate by earth.

On the echoing-day of your birth,
May you open the gift of solitude
In order to receive your soul;
Enter the generosity of silence
To hear your hidden heart;
Know the serenity of stillness
To be enfolded anew
By the miracle of your being.

For Solitude

May you recognize in your life the presence
power and light of your soul.

May you realize that you are never alone,
that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.

May you have respect for your individuality and difference.

May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique,

that you have a special destiny here,

that behind the facade of your life
there is something beautiful and eternal happening.

May you learn to see your self
with the same delight, pride, and expectation

with which God sees you in every moment.

from To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue

For the Interim Time

When near the end of day, life has drained
Out of light, and it is too soon
For the mind of night to have darkened things,

No place looks like itself, loss of outline
Makes everything look strangely in-between
Unsure of what has been, or what might come.

In this wan light, even trees seem groundless.
In a while it will be night, but nothing
Here seems to believe the relief of dark.

You are in this time of the interim
Where everything seems withheld.

The path you took to get here has washed out;
The way forward is still concealed from you.

"The old is not old enough to have died away;
The new is still too young to be born."

You cannot lay claim to anything;
In this place of dusk,
Your eyes are blurred;
And there is no mirror.

Everyone else has lost sight of your heart
And you can see nowhere to put your trust;
You know you have to make your own way through.

As far as you can, hold your confidence.
Do not allow your confusion to squander
This call which is loosening
Your roots in false ground,
That you might come free
From all you have outgrown.

What is being transfigured here is your mind,
And it is difficult and slow to become new.
The more faithfully you can endure here,
The more refined your heart will become
For your arrival in the new dawn.

From "To Bless the Space Between Us" by John O'Donohue, p. 119 (Christine gave me this book for my birthday - I love it!)