Prayer: A simple practice of returning
I found myself floundering because the long summer days weighed heavy since we had come through a spring riddled with uncertainty and sickness. The whole world was holding a tension deep in their bones. Would we survive?
I could not continue this way. I needed a way to mark the time and be present. I longed to find a rhythm that pointed me to the truth daily and not the what-ifs of a pandemic which could easily guide my thoughts to despair. Maybe this concern was pressing because the children were watching, or because my work required a peaceful presence, maybe it was just that I felt I would break at any moment.
I had heard whispers of a practice called the daily office but had not understood how to implement it in my life. The daily office is an ancient practice that has helped believers order their days through prayer. A vivid example of this is the life the monks and nuns lead in a monastery. Their days are ordered in such a way that they can return again and again to the Lord.
I began to wonder if my home could embrace a tiny bit of monastic living? “A monastery is not so much a place set apart for monks and nuns as it is a place set apart, period. It is also a place to learn the value of powerlessness and a place to learn that time is not ours but God’s.” Ronald Rolheiser’s definition of this seemingly unattainable rhythm, gave me hope to know that my time can be ordered by prayer.
I wish I could wow you with a mind blowing practice, but instead I give you the timer. I found that I needed to set three alarms spaced throughout the day. The alarms’ main purpose was to interrupt me - to interrupt me from the frenzy of putting out fires and to invite me to return again to the center of my life. All was paused and we met with the Lord in prayer.
This verse came to mind one day as the prayer alarm rang, like a monastic bell calling me to task, to find my sustenance in the bread of life. The only one that was also attuned to my alarm, He wanted to meet me as I returned to Him. He was the one that could help me not just survive, but thrive, on that day.
”Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)
Maybe this seems simplistic, and some days I am prone to ignore it, believe me. But it has made a difference in our lives. I can be sitting at a coffee date but if my alarm goes off, I extend the invitation to pray with my friend and together we return.
I believe that this ordering has opened a door to a more in-tune walk with the one who holds my day. I want to cultivate this new found intimacy well. Let’s continue to invite the Lord into this time he has gifted us. May our lives be attuned to the monastic bell of the Spirit’s invitation to meet with Him throughout the day.
Scripture for meditation
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:12-13 (NIV)
Prompts for reflection and journaling
The verses above are giving us all the reasons why returning to the Lord is the safest and wisest thing we can do.
What keeps you from returning to the Lord?
As you look at the character of God in these verses, which one do you gravitate towards?
What time of the day can you set a timer to be interrupted by the alarm and return to the Lord?
Continue your devotion with a daily practice in the Dawn app
Get the Wake up Call email for weekly mindful faith inspiration
