Be There
October 13, 2008
I heard Leonard Sweet lecture on the idea of Being There. He meant that in our work of ministry and in life in general we ought to be fully engaged or present. Being there to those we serve and to God in prayer. At missional order we are committed to pray four times daily. Praying the liturgies of Celtic Daily Prayer is our chosen way of doing that. This is sacred rhythm. The challenge is to be there every time we pray.
Another challenge in Celtic Daily Prayer (this is also true of any other prayer book) is to work through the repeated or written prayers without redundancy. No doubt repetitions in CDP are intentional. But how do you avoid the danger of “vain repetition” as Jesus warns? While this is not easy it is possible by simply choosing to be there.
While some believe repeating prayers is futile, at missional order we don’t. We believe that the key to saying the same prayers in a sacred rhythm fashion or reading prayers is to be present. Being all there. With undivided attention.
If you haven’t noticed yet the Morning Celtic Daily Prayers for example are the same day in and day out. This is also true of all midday prayers, and all evening prayers. I believe there is only one way to deal with this way of praying and that is “to be there.” By that I mean: Pause before you start to pray. Consider what you are about to do. Knowing that we are about to intentionally engage the Divine Presence by being present to Him is sobering.
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Georges, I still find times that the repetition is difficult, however you post is very helpfu..
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Thanks for the post. I have found that “praying with the church” is especially helpful when I feel weak. Somehow God uses the prayers and faith of others to hold me as I join in praying them myself. When I don’t feel like praying these rich and tried prayers sustain me and do a healing work in me.
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