We are pretty sensory culture, from print ads to movies our culture relies on appealing to our senses to communicate. Unfortunately with everybody appealing to our senses trying to get our attention, we live in sensory overload quite a bit. But when we try and get some peace and quite we find our selves restless and bored. God wants to relate to us but he seldom uses loud over the top ways to get our attention.
Imagine if you will trying to relate to a friend at a party, the music is pumping, your friend tries to speak to you but is drowned out, he gives you a subtle gesture to say “Hey, lets go some where quiet to talk.” You head outside and begin to chat about the party, about school, and then about life, your frustrations, your triumphs, people that annoy you etc. Then there comes this moment where your friend ask you a personal question and you open up, you confess your fears, shortcomings, doubts in other words you get real. Your friend understands, listens, and offers advice, but mostly just encouragement. You end up telling them what a great friend they are and how it has been really good talking to them and you both head back to the party.
Prayer is like that relationship, all you need to do is step out of the party long enough to really relate, it may take some time to get real as it can be a bit vulnerable. In the end you will remember those quite breakaways more than anything and the relationship you build with God will last forever.
Further reading: Out of Solitude by Henry Nouwen
Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
2 comments:
good thoughts seth. in this culture, it seems like we fear silence because we then have to face the truth of who we are, what we're going through, etc. another gooder is "the way of the heart" by henri nouwen, which talks about solitude, silence and prayer.
Thoughtful stuff dude. I believe that the biggest difference between prayer and a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend is that the friend gives immediate feedback. That's why I personally find prayer difficult-- the perceived silence felt by a Christian who badly needs answers is hard to deal with.
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