Tag, I'm "It"

Mata, who keeps an interesting and well-written blog, has challenged her readers to respond to some questions she has posted yesterday. I'd like to do that here.


1. Do you pray/meditate? Which? How often?
Yes. Every morning as I lay awake in bed (while Sam is still asleep), I invite God into my life for that day. I have trouble staying on topic because my mind quickly revs up and my thoughts jump from responsibility to responsibility. So I don't meditate then. As I'm thinking about all that I have to do, I ask God to help me know what to do and what to let go.

2. Why is it that you pray and/or meditate?
If I don't pray, I am utterly unprepared for the day. Things happen spontaneously that I can't cope well with; I'm not at peace and feel easily frustrated with the mountain of things that need to be done. I also feel spiritually starved--a horrible feeling. More importantly, my hope is that at the end of the day I will have grown spiritually and know something more of God. I work in a faith-affiliated university and do not want to lose any opportunity to serve God by being out of tune with Him. It would defeat the purpose of me being here.

3. Is there a place/setting/time in which you are more likely to pray and/or meditate?
I often pray on the couch in the living room in the mornings or late at night. The back patio is also a wonderful secluded spot for prayer where there is no worry about being observed or overheard. Perhaps the most common place for me to pray is in the car while driving. I begin a conversation with God almost the minute I sit down in the car--about what I've just done, or am on my way to do, or for family members, etc.
Meditation occurs when I'm out in the woods or in the park. Some days I meditate on the patio, but if I really have to struggle with something and need to give time to thought and prayer, I go up to the mountains nearby and find a hidden place to sit and look at the sky and trees.

4. Do you use any physical objects to assist your prayer/meditation? No. I get distracted by objects like prayer journals or a Bible.

5. Are you most likely to use established prayers/meditations, or to create your own style?
Prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes I use phrases in prayer that come from scripture or religious writings. Most often, it's pretty spontaneous and freestyle.

6. Are you more likely to pray/meditate alone or in a group?
I have prayed with people before. Sam and I pray together every night in bed before we go to sleep. That is the "review and supplicate" prayer: bless the family, help us to sleep well, bless our marriage, help us to know what to do about X, Y, and Z, prayers for each other and thanks for our marriage. I pray with my students when they visit my office (if A, it is wanted and B, it fits into the conversation), and sometimes when I begin class. Most often however, I pray alone.

7. Have you ever asked anyone to pray/meditate on your behalf? If yes, and you are comfortable sharing that experience, please do.
Yes. I have a wonderful prayer partner who prays for me and I for her. In fact, I have two friends whom I pray for every morning and sometimes during the day. It is wonderful to know that they are praying for me, also. One prays for me about my family concerns and for us to locate an affordable home to purchase. Another prays for my spiritual and professional success (and probably both pray for many things about me that I don't know about).
Last week, when I was very ill, I had to give an all-day workshop in a city about 90 minutes away from here. When I left the house, I was congested, had a headache, and was very congested. As the day went on, I felt better and better. When I drove home that night, I felt over my illness. That night, an elderly shut-in from church called me to say that she and her husband had been praying for me that day, and how did I feel? I told her that I had suspected that someone prayed for me and she said that indeed, they had been praying.


8. If asked to describe your religious affiliation/practice/ belief, how would you do that?
I'm a Christian, affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist church.

9. What would you like to say about prayer/meditation that has not been asked here?
I've been really blessed by two authors who have written about meditation and prayer: Brennan Manning and Philip Yancey. From Brennan Manning I have learned how to meditate and to have silent retreats to focus on the voice and will of God. His Catholic languaging of prayer has pointed out to me that prayer and meditation are spiritual disciplines--things that I as a Christian need to do, whether or not I feel like it.
Philip Yancey's work has given voice to many unasked and unanswered questions about faith and prayer--what does it do and why do it? His writings have encouraged me to pray and ask regardless of outcome, because contact with the Divine God is something to be craved, whether or not my requests are answered.