Prayer is a precious gift – a way to become grounded, connecting more deeply with ourselves, with the world, and with God.

 There are so many ways to pray. So many.

 We can pray by speaking, the words of our own hearts, or the words of others.

We can pray by listening; we can pray by reading, we can pray by singing; we can pray by dancing; we can pray by walking, or painting, or cooking, or knitting…

 Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk, wrote, “It is not necessary to have great things to do. I turn my little omelet in the pan for the love of God.” Even everyday things can be a prayer.

 Summer, I think, is a wonderful time to try out new ways of praying, or to realize all in our lives that can be a prayer.

 Feeling the sun (or the rain!) on our skin can be a transcendent experience, leading us into prayerful contemplation of God’s grace. Tasting the sweet berry on the trail can become a eucharistic feast – full of heartfelt thanksgivings. Preparing a simple meal for someone else can become a prayer of such adoration and service, like Brother Lawrence, for the love of God.

 I invite you to play as you pray (and pray as you play) this summer. Delight in the height and breadth and depth of prayer, as you delight in the height and breadth and depth of God’s love and presence in this world.

 Thanks be to God!


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