HABITS OF OUR HEARTS
When we turn the page of the calendar to the new year, it seems that often, the desire to begin again, start anew, reform, rework, and finally address those pesky bad habits surges up in us. Or, at least it does in me!
Our habits do define and limit us in many ways. Good habits can be a backbone for good intentions, and negative habits or indifference can undermine the best of ideals.
One habit of the heart worth cultivating is that of personal prayer. Sometimes I hear from folks who tell me that they don’t know how to pray, or that they don’t have time. I too sometimes feel the same way. Even in the midst of my work, which, after all, involves a lot of corporate prayer, and the voicing of prayers for others, I too, need to have a pattern to help me and remind me to pray.
One format which I have found useful is adapted from the Alban Institute and is called : FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD. Honestly, who doesn’t have 5 minutes?
Here is how it goes:
Prepare: Take a moment for quiet, stillness, or sing a verse of hymn, and ask for the gift of the Spirit.
Review the day: What are you grateful for? Sorry about?
Prayer: What are your concerns for others? For yourself? This might be a deep longing, or a simple acknowledgement of a situation.
Listen to God’s response: You might find a confirmation of your insight or a new idea.
Plan: What priorities emerge? You may be inclined to take a specific action or respond to a nudging or calling.
Rest: Just be, for a moment with no agenda.
These steps—or any of our own choosing—can become habits of heart. Take as much time as you have or as little time as you need. The idea is not to follow a formula for its own sake but to have some kind of guideline which strengthens a decision to make prayer a priority.
May we all find our own paths to newness of life and renewal of Spirit, this new year.
In Christ’s love,
Clare
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