As kids, we practiced the end-of-the-world scenario where we would get under our school desks. If you are old enough to remember that, did you ever think that is where you were the safest during that atomic bomb drill?
Later in life, my kids learned how to react to their clothes being on fire. Stop. Drop. Roll. Supposedly that would make you responsible for being the hero of your disaster.
In this world, with all the clanging noise and raucous sounds of destruction, what would be our routine that would be sure to create a safe space for us? Our kids? Our families?
Is there a phrase that would make sense?
Perhaps not, although I know someone is considering making a viral video with this very solution.
I was thinking this morning, mumbling through the memories of life, and wondering if Twitter-Verse has it right with all the one-liners filling the space or if reels of short videos tell a better answer to our many dilemmas.
Fill In The Blank
When it’s time to do the modern “Stop… Drop… and _______,” how will you fill in the blank of what you’ll do next?
My analytical mind wants to solve the problem, but I’m generally content to let a “fixer” do the work. It may be age-speaking, but I don’t have to be the “doer” of all the tasks that need to be done. Plantar Fasciitis and a low back issue make it difficult to crawl the ladders, walk with a heavy load, or swing an axe.
But the one thing I can do is Pray.
This is probably the one thing we all do at one time or another, regardless of whether a belief system spells out the stress-releasing action that unburdens onto a bigger set of shoulders than our own.
Prayer has a way of helping me unload the burden, find relief, and garner strength for the next foray into the world of stress.
Fox-hole conversions are not what I’m talking about. It’s about saying what you are struggling with, asking for assistance, and being willing to do something different with the results you find.
Prayer is more than believing in God or a pantheon of gods or spirits you perceive in the moment’s darkness.
As a Christian, I believe in praying and letting God help me through the trial.
But you don’t have to be like me to know that prayer helps.
What Does Prayer Do?
For many, if what I call prayer is merely their contemplation of life and issues or a problem in need of a solution, could it not be that action is the equivalent of my prayer?
What we plant in the soil of contemplation,
~Meister Eckhart
we shall reap in the harvest of action.
I’ve referenced a favorite scripture I’ve often referred to, and I connect this to prayer. Now that I think about it, it’s also my contemplation.
Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psalms 126:5-6 NKJV)
When I surrender the need to an action we call prayer, I am allowing a release of my fear or uncertainty. When contemplating a problem or challenge, I release my creativity to deal with the issue. Sometimes I use words and a grease board, but most of the time, I use my powers of observation and thought.
Not to discount one over the other, I have felt my prayer life emboldened by the quiet contemplation of a long drive or my favored “tractor-time.” Prayer and contemplation often equal the same inward speaking the challenge faced.
For some, prayer is an algorithm or formula – do it right, and specific results are bound to come. Contemplation allows me to reach all areas of thought, and then with a quantum leap, I find a possible solution. Who helped me have a quantum leap? I know God is working within me, but I often like to take the credit!
In what we call the Lord’s Prayer, I would like to rethink the title and call it “The Disciple’s Prayer.” It was given to disciples asking to be taught how to pray. Formula. Algorithm. Words with a starting and ending point.
If you want to follow the prayer thought of Jesus, go to John 17 and consider his actual prayer before going to the Cross. Compare the two. They are both spoken aloud, but can you imagine the thought behind the words?
Last Thought
This morning, as I prepared for another busy day, I paused long enough in my morning routine to Give Thanks. It seems this is a major part of prayer and contemplation that we do very little of.
Throughout the Psalms, the phrase “Give Thanks” is used in multiple writings. The action of thanking God and others for their support of a need, or in the moment of a crisis, is so necessary. Not only do you want to be thanked, you must learn to give thanks.
No other book has this phrase as much as this compilation of individual songs and prayers.
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
(Psalms 92:1-5 NKJV)