Monday, September 30, 2013

True Believers Have a Prayer Life (PrayerLife)

Linda, early in the morning on Kelly's Island, Ohio
I've learned so much about prayer and praying from Henri Nouwen because he actually prayed, and was given many insights into what Proverbs 20:5 refers to as "the deep waters of the human heart."

Here Nouwen writes about the importance of solitary, just-me-and-God prayer.

"Solitude begins with a time and place for God, and God alone. If we really believe not only that God exists but also that God is actively present in our lives - healing, teaching, guiding - we need to set aside a time and space to give God our undivided attention. Jesus says, "Go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place" (Matt 6:6)." (Nouwen, Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader, 63)

Logically:

  1. If I believe God exists and is actively present in my life, I will set aside time and space to give God my undivided attention.
  2. I believe God exists and is actively present in my life.
  3. Therefore I set aside time and space to give God my undivided attention.
And:


  1. If I believe God exists and is actively present in my life, I will set aside time and space to give God my undivided attention.
  2. I do not set aside time and space to give God my undivided attention.  
  3. Therefore I do not believe God exists and is actively present in my life.
True believers have a prayer life.