Art Reading Scripture

A Hermit Praying 1670 Gerrit Dou, Minneapolis Institute of Art

" ... one of Jesus disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, ..." Luke 11:1

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In the early centuries of the church many, both men and women, retreated to the deserts of Egypt to be alone and spend their life in prayer. Others went out to visit them for guidance ad prayers. Alone in the desert these hermits were also visited by the demons who continually tormented and tempted them to forsake their vows and their faith. The records of their lives and their sayings continue to inspire and guide us who live in community. When we are alone untoward thoughts may plague us. When we are lonely and isolated prayer connects us to God and others.

The hermit lives in a cave away from the city. He turns to nature where he can commune with God alone and find refuge from the temptations of the world. In the silence of the cave he reads scripture, prays the rosary and contemplates life. He has constructed an altar with a crucifix to remind him of salvation. He included an extinguished candle and a skull. An hourglass sits between the skull and the cross. Life is brief. What little he needs is in a small basket on the altar. It is not much. He leads a simple and frugal life depending on prayer. Some have deemed this retreat from life useless or wasted. Others have found silence and isolation the place where they come closest to God. Prayer became the constant in the hermit's life connecting him to God and defending him from temptation as he struggled with himself and the his demons.

Prayer is a spiritual religious practice. Prayer is petition, making requests known to God from the concerns of our lives and those around us. Prayer is more than asking God for what we want. Dag Hammarskjod pointedly said, "Your cravings as a human animal do not become a prayer just because it is God whom you ask to attend them." When I am consumed by myself and my own wants and needs I am less open to God's will and word. Prayer is a conversation with God. It is more than telling God what's what. It is also listening and discernment. Some begin prayer with an extended time of silence before saying a word. Rather than immediately launching into words, one remains silent to acknowledge the holiness of God. Prayer takes time, which is precious. The pressures of time hinder prayer and meditation. I pray best when I walk, or am driving, or wake up in the middle of the night. My heart and mind are free both to think and to listen, to ask and be inspired. Meister Eckhart, "The most powerful form of prayer is the one that is free, flowing from a mind unencumbered, useful for the purpose, waiting for reception, awake. Awake." When I can set myself aside, like a hermit separating from the world, God draws closer and I can become more open. Prayer is a practice, something we get better at or which becomes more meaningful the more we find ourselves in it, the more we realize that God is praying in us when we think we are just going for a walk.

I still say formal prayers like grace and the Lord's prayer. I still offer prayers verbally when asked or as I lead worship. Some written prayers are very meaningful because they express so well what my own heart and head do not. Mostly in worship I seek to pray from the moment according to the circumstances of the day. Less and less do I think of prayer as a moment of bowing my head and closing my eyes and talking to God. More and more do I think of prayer as the ongoing conversation of living that happens as God is with me always, in every moment, in every activity, in every conversation. Prayer is being aware and paying attention to God's presence especially when it might seem like God is not around because I am not in the Church or not doing something formally religious. I think this is what the Apostle meant by saying, "pray without ceasing." Its not keep your head bowed and eyes closed all the time. Its be aware, pay attention that since God is with you always, God is always part of the conversation of your life. Prayer engages us with life both our own and the life of the world in which we live. The desert saints retreated into the wilderness to make this happen as they prayed and as others came to them seeking prayers. Wherever we are beset with life, joys and temptations, meeting saints and demons, giving thanks or enduring laments, in prayer discern and seek "the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer