I am certainly unfit to advise anyone else on the devotional life. My own rules are (1) To make sure that, wherever else they may be placed, the main prayers should not be put ‘last thing at night’. (2) To avoid introspection in prayer—I mean not to watch one’s own mind to see if it is in the right frame, but al- ways to turn the attention outwards to God. (3) Never, never to try to generate an emotion by will power. (4) To pray without words when I am able, but to fall back on words when tired or otherwise below par. With renewed thanks. Perhaps you will sometimes pray for me?
From The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III
Compiled in Yours, Jack
Compiled in Yours, Jack
The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume III: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy 1950-1963. Copyright © 2007 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from C. S. Lewis. Copyright © 2008 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
Communion with God is essential to a relationship with God. Prayer is an essential part of that communion. There are many ways to pray and many helpful tips that can be shared.
For this writer, a simple formula that works is to;
Recognize (God’s presence)
Release (earthly concerns and tensions)
Relax (body and mind)
Renew (communion with God)
Rejoice (in God’s blessings)
Recognize (shortcomings and sins)
Repent (turn around)
Renounce (judgement)
Reject (grievances)
Request (forgiveness and guidance)
Receive (God’s grace)
May each prayer bring us all closer to God’s reality.
Prayerfully,
Z gardener
Leave a comment