Love Relationship With God

Often when people speak to me about prayer it is to express frustration and even a sense of failure. As hard as they try to focus in prayer, stuff just pushes into the conversation with God. It is like trying to chat with someone when the television is blaring in the background or children are running enthusiastically around the room. It's "doable" but its not the best experience.

Perhaps we need to create the space for the best conversation possible with God. Lots of couples will set the romantic mood this Valentine's evening, eating in a restaurant or at a table with candles. The surroundings and lack of distractions can remind us of how important our love relationship is. The same can be true with God.

The image above is actually from a card I picked up in an ancient stone church in Cornwall (the British one) a couple of years ago. I used it as a bookmark and came upon it while rummaging through the book recently. I hope it helps.

In the silence of our hearts or in spoken words

let us give thanks for the gift of this day

and pray for the life of the world...

silent prayer

For rest in the night and the day's busyness,

for the silence of the winter earth

followed by spring's energy and summer's fruiting,

thanks be to you, O God.

In the pattern of the seasons,

in the rhythm of our days,

show us the stillness that renews life,

the letting go that deepens our strength of soul. Amen.

from Celtic Treasure Philip Newell