Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good. But prayer as a means to effect a private end is meanness and theft. It supposes dualism and not unity in nature and consciousness. As soon as the man is at one with God, he will not beg. He will then see prayer in all action.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance, [From The Portable Emerson]

Prayer was the topic of the sermon at church last Sunday. After each sermon, the pastor likes to open up a group discussion of the topic, and it was fascinating to hear the congregation members talk about their concepts of prayer.

Most members talked about their "prayer time" where they might read a devotional and then pray to God. I refrained from talking about my "prayer time" because it was so different from anyone else who shared. I don't have a "prayer time" .. if that term means a time when I shut myself in my room, hit my knees and start making my list of wants and desires known to God. I've always found that sort of prayer time impossible.

Instead, I've always tried to live by the instruction to "pray constantly." Instead of talking to God for ten minutes, then putting him back in his box, I prefer to talk to God constantly throughout the day. I see prayer in all action, whether it's the movement of the clouds as I take my daily walk, or the controlled chaos of the traffic on the highway as I go to work. God is present in all of these things.

Certainly, I still make my desires known to God. God is aware of what I would wish for my life in the future. But to make my prayer a means to only affect that private end is meanness. I only want what's good for me if, ultimatly, it is good for those around me. I long ago stopped begging God for things. God knows what I need. Instead I pray constantly, and take joy in seeing God all around me. I give thanks and praise for God's movement in the world. I know if I center myself in this God-presence, God will work out what's best for me, even if it's not what I had planned. By praying constantly, God will provide all I need, and more.

Blessings,
Candace