If there has been any year when we need more prayer, 2020 has been it, am I right? And although I need and desire connection with God, my daily rhythms have been all over the place – partly because of disrupted schedules but also my disrupted emotional life as I grieve the many things lost this year.  In the midst of all of this, though, I have found healing rhythms of connection with God that I thought I would share. These are by no means the only ways I have reached out to God this year, but they are new for me this year. These come from a wide variety of faith traditions and I have learned to be flexible with myself and not necessarily use each resource each day, or even every week!

Prayerful reading of Psalms, poetry, and prayers

I have enjoyed reading Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime periodically throughout the day. These readings seem to help wash over my spirit. Instead of struggling with formulating my own thoughts and prayers, I can pray with the psalmists, hymnists, and others who have gone before me. These seem to help re-center my focus. I keep them right beside my laptop for easy access.

Prayer while I’m driving

There’s an app I’ve started using periodically when I am in the car sans kids – Pray As You Go. I believe it has Catholic roots, but I’ve found connecting points even though I may differ theologically. The creators use a combination of song, lectio Divina (contemplative reading of Scripture), and reflective questions and silence. I love being able to prayerfully listen as I drive. Sometimes I sneak into my room for 15 minutes and listen as well.

Prayer, Scripture and Stories with my children

With our daily homeschool time, we have what I have sometimes called Bible time or Together Time. We sing songs together, recite a Scripture passage, read a Bible passage/story, and read stories of Christians around the world. This has fed my soul perhaps more than any other practice, and I love how Jesus connects with me not just in the silence, but in the voices of my children. We’ve particularly enjoyed Rebecca Davis’ Hidden Heroes series of books – she tells stories of the global church, and while missionaries are mentioned in the stories, they are not portrayed as “white saviors” – but simply as part of the story of God at work in a particular region. The stories of local people are the focus.

Prayer Walks

Josiah has mowed a trail around our farm property and this has become a healing place for me.  I don’t come with an agenda or a list. And Jesus has met me there, often with words of a song, or the visit of a deer or bird. Wonder at the created world has become a balm for my spirit.

Connecting with Jesus through prayer has not been a means of escape for me. Far from it. Although prayer often does bring perspective and peace, I find that prayer also seems to root me even more in the current reality. When I am facing God, God invites me to face myself and all that I am bringing – my pain, frustration, worries, or relationship woes. Jesus offers me courage to walk through my difficulties, but I can’t think of many times (if any) when Jesus has removed me from my difficulties.  It sometimes seems as if following Jesus increases difficulties. We are called to the way of Love and we are called to a Cross, and neither of those callings has been easy for me yet, even with the Spirit’s help.

Often during prayer, a person or idea will come to mind. Sometimes I realize that I need to apologize to this person, or sometimes I feel led to write a note or text. Recently, I’ve been sensing an invitation to start writing again as a personal and spiritual practice. This blog has been one small way of exploring the written word in my life.

Prayer has not always been a solitary thing for me. Unfortunately, this year’s dynamics have meant I’ve spent less time praying with others in person. I grieve this. But, I have spent more time praying with my family and that has brought me joy. My children have grown in their desire to pray for each other and the world around them. I am thankful for glimpses into their hearts.

How have you reached for the Divine presence this strange year? How has God met you?