It Is Making Me
February 18, 2009
In his book Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton sets out to establish the basic coherence and beauty of orthodox Christianity (that’s orthodox with a small “o”). In this process he acknowledges his is not a system that he created but one that he discovered, or rediscovered as it turns out. He says:
I have attempted in a vague and personal way, in a set of mental pictures rather than a series of deductions, to state the philosophy in which I have come to believe. I will not call it my philosophy; for I did not make it. God and humanity made it; and it made me. (Orthodoxy, pg. 13)
What Chesterton here ascribes to the work of theology, philosophy and apologetics I want to ascribe to prayer. I created neither prayer nor praying the daily office. The concept of sacred rhythm has been around much longer than I have. In fact, it predates Christianity itself. Yet, when praying the hours of CDP, I feel a thrill of rediscovery. The words are now so familiar that they have become a part of my mental soundtrack. The words of prayers which didn’t start with me, nonetheless, follow me throughout the day. Rather than reducing my experience with Christ to a routine, the familiarity of these words, enlarge it so that I find myself enjoying God’s friendship during the moments of prayer (the “hour” itself) and all throughout my day.
This kind of prayer is formative. Rather than merely comprehending the points in my praying I discover that the various phrases and ideas in the prayer are working on me at all times and in all kinds of occasions. Words such as, “…be within and without me lowly and meek yet all powerful” from the morning office, or from the midday, “…all things are passing, God never changeth”, and from the evening prayer, “Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe; and though you be silent now, today I believe.”
These words weren’t crafted by me but I find that they are crafting me. From the Psalms and the prayers of ancient others these words are, much like Chesterton’s discovery, making me. (Perhaps re-making me?)
In his musical rendition of the Apostles Creed Rich Mullins ends the song with a phrase that is not from the creed by his brief and powerful reflection upon it. He says, “I did not make it. No, it is making me. It is the very truth of God not the invention of any man.”
No, I did not make it. But it is remaking me.
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Very uplifting, Paul. Just logged on to do my evening prayer and there you are with your encouraging words. Thanks for sharing how the prayers are shaping you into the you God is in love with.
I too have discovered the richness of these prayers and share your sentiments of the depth they are taking me into in spite (or because) of their repetitive nature. You have eloquently captured my thoughts.
Paul, it is funny when I read the title of this post I imediately thought of the Mullins line from Creed. What a helpful way to view CDP.