What Prayer Is – Talk & A Poem

Hello and time for prayer.

It's important to understand.

That prayer in its essence is not about telling spirits.

Exactly what you want and expecting it to happen.

True prayer is allowing your heart your hands,

Your mind,

Your soul.

To be open and flowing and allowing the energy of the divine.

To always be present knowing more than we ourselves can see in front of us in this moment.

There's not one way to either receive prayer,

Or to offer prayer to others.

The true beauty of our world is all the ways that exist that we create our prayers.

Whether in silence,

Nature or in church.

Whether individually.

Or in community.

Whether under clouds.

Or sunlight.

In the end,

It is right where we are standing.

Life itself is a prayer.

Gently now I'll have you close your eyes.

Open your hands.

And allow them to rest face up on your lap.

With eyes closed,

Take a deep breath in.

And exhale Feel the presence of the divine moving through you.

As I share.

My poem.

What prayer is.

What is prayer but a wish from the heart?

So many things that prayer can be.

But I say not many sings.

That a prayer is not.

Prayer is the morning when daylight breaks across the fields or mountains.

Rivers or lakes.

Prayer is the call of a cardinal who sings.

From the mesquite tree.

Whose song is carried on the wind's steady breeze.

Prayer is a person on bended knee,

Hands folded,

Eyes closed,

Talking with God like a friend.

A silent listening heart to heart.

There are so many things prayer can be,

But not many things.

That a prayer is not.

Prayers crying and sobs at death,

Grief or loss,

A heartbreaking open,

A river of tears flowing free.

Prayers of flag rainbowed in color flowing to honor one another.

In love and peace.

And in charity.

Prayer is the dance of naked feet upon Mother Earth's clay back,

Feeling each and every one of her surfaces cracked.

Prayers,

Laughter of community,

Joined in feeding each other with food and song,

All caring.

For one another.

There are so many things that prayer can be,

But not many that prayer is not.

Prayers of a candle in a hushed empty church to illuminate hope at a time when darkness intrudes.

Prayers,

Yoga,

And asana pose like a warrior building strength and inner fire to stand.

And to stay.

Prayer is a painting that captures the hue of life.

The hand of the painter.

Channeled spirit's own creation.

The light.

And the shade.

So many things that prayer can be,

But not,

I believe,

Not many things in our world.

That prayer is not.

This palm.

Is my prayer to you.

This day.

May your life be the prayer in return.

Amen.

Namaste.