What A Friend

AM Psalm 1, 2, 3 • PM Psalm 4, 7
Dan. 1:1-21 • 1 John 1:1-10 • John 17:1-11

Today’s gospel reading is from John. It has been said that the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) tell us what Jesus said and did; John’s Gospel emphasizes the identity of Christ. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to spend time with Jesus, the person? What would you have talked about? Would you have liked him? Would he have liked you?

One way to develop a relationship with Jesus is to practice centering prayer. This spiritual practice is prayer as relationship. As with any friendship, time together is necessary to develop the trust required to realize a deep and meaningful connection. It is helpful to commit to a regular time of prayer each day. The recommended starting dose is twenty minutes twice daily. Unlike a human friendship, no words are spoken during this prayer. Thomas Keating, one of the creators of the method of Centering Prayer, liked to remind us that God’s first language is silence.

There are many useful forms of prayer. Centering Prayer is not to take the place of other types of prayer. This prayer in silence is complementary to discursive prayer, i.e., praying with words. A regular practice of Centering Prayer has been characterized as “divine therapy”. In this prayer the emotional wounds of a lifetime can be processed and healed. The only requirement is to show up every day and spend this time with God.

The crux of the Prayer is to let go of any thought or sensation that takes us out of resting with God. The twelve-steppers simply proclaim, “Let go and let God.” As we spend this time in the Divine Presence our superficial or false self is gradually integrated into the big “S” Self — the being that God created us to be. How long does this take? A lifetime if we are lucky. Perhaps we begin now — yes?

Written by Nick Cole

...who credits the Prayer with transforming his life. Cowabunga!