"Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!"

--The Jesus Prayer

As we begin this new year, I've made a promise to myself ... not a resolution ... I don't do New Year's resolutions, because I always break them. No, this is a promise to myself that I will dedicate time each day to meditation.

I feel like this is something God is calling me, urging me, commanding me, to do. I've been avoiding it, frankly. I'm actually rather frightened to begin meditation. What will it reveal? What will God call me to do that I'm not doing? What will God require of me if I spend time silently contemplating God and God's will for my life? I'm frightened that I might not like the answers. I'm frightened the tasks might be hard. I'm frightened that God might call me to give up current comforts in favor of discomfort. I'm frightened that God will take me to new and unfamiliar places. But, there's a part of me that's also excited about all of those prospects.

In the past year and half I've made some drastic changes in my life. I've bought a house. I'm continuing in school, learning more about the Bible and God each day. I've also taken a greater interest in learning more about how to remain healthy, both in mind and body. I've begun seeing a chiropractor ... something I swore I'd never do ... but it's been a blessing! I've not felt this good since I was a teenager. No more slouching, no more painful movements ... and I haven't had a cold in nearly 2 years! I'm eating better, sleeping better, and generally feeling better. I admit I approached this new experience with the same trepidation I now feel about meditation. There were moments of discomfort, and downright pain when I first began my journey into chiropractic. But the rewards have been far greater than any of the pain and discomfort I've felt. For the first time in my life I'm finally beginning to feel mind and body work together ... and it's a beautiful experience!

So, now in this new year I'll try something else new, despite my fears. I've chosen the Jesus Prayer as my meditation tool. The prayer comes from a Russian book called The Way of a Pilgrim. For more background on this book visit this page on The Jesus Prayer. The point of the Jesus Prayer is to learn how to pray without ceasing. By repeating the prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," it becomes a part of you ... something you'll repeat unconsciously once it has become engrained in your mind. The goal is to take the prayer from your silent meditation into every facet of your life whether you're working or playing.

I've read stories where the Jesus Prayer has helped people draw closer to God. This is my goal this year ... to pray without ceasing ... to strive to be in God's presence every moment of the day.

I know that I have been very lax in posting any meditations. For that I apologize. Life has somehow become too big to fit into 24 hours and writing is something that takes time ... and energy. I haven't had the energy for it. But, I'm hoping that through the Jesus Prayer I can learn to pray without ceasing and in that exercise get closer to God. The closer to God I feel, the easier the words come to me, writing becomes effortless. This is my endeavor for the year ... to draw closer to God ... to make life effortless ... because all my effort comes from God.

I hope some of you may be inspired to join me on the journey. Try praying the Jesus Prayer today ... no matter where you are. Feel its power in your own life. If you start to pray the prayer and decide to join me on this journey, let me know! It would be nice to know that there are other pilgrims on the same path.

Blessings,
Candace