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Prayer Builds Resilience

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” ---Soren Kierkegaard

  My Doctorate of Ministry in Science and Theology final project paper is entitled:   “A Study of the Impact of Two Forms of  Prayer Practices on Resilience.” I am so grateful for all the people in our church and community who participated in the prayer studies and faithfully supported me during this program! In the process of designing and writing up the results of this study, I learned much more about the importance of prayer for resilience development. Resilience is basically defined as: the ability to overcome stress, adapt to change, and recover from adversity.             

 

The Bible is full of scriptures that prescribe guidance for living a faithful, healthy and abundant life.  “Pray without ceasing” (1Thess. 5:17) is a well-known scripture passage that inspires the inclusion of prayer into daily living. Yet, many people are not aware that this guidance to pray is beneficial for more than one’s spiritual wellbeing. Prayer has many physical and emotional wellbeing benefits including the ability to enhance resilience.

 

The Mayo Clinic’s website page on “Resilience: Building Skills to Endure Hardship,” lists the prescription to pray daily as important for enhancing wellbeing and resilience as other generally accepted health prescriptions such as a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise.                                                                                        

 

So how do we pray in a way that builds resilience? The answer is: often. How you pray isn’t as important as the fact that you pray often. Prayer as a way of being in touch with God increases your awareness of God’s presence.

My prayer study showed that the contemplative way of prayer called, “Centering prayer.” is a good way to enhance resilience. To pray in this way involves simple silent “resting in God,” for 20 minutes each day. This form of prayer showed the highest impact on enhancing resilience in my two prayer studies.

Mahatma Gandhi would not be surprised by this. He believed that, "prayer is the very soul and essence of religion, and therefore prayer must be the very core of the life of all people.”

Ruth Burrow agrees with Gandhi in her lovely book entitled: Essence of Prayer. She said, “Prayer is essentially God's work. Our part is to give time, do our best to keep attention, surrender ourselves as best we can. Then we can be sure that God works. Faith does not ask for signs, or tokens.” So trust in God that when you pray you are heard; God is present in your joys and in your sorrows and ready to give you “rest” enabling you to become more resilient.

         Jesus was calling us to pray when he said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11: 28)

(For more information on Building Resilience, see: The Mayo Clinic, “Resilience: Build Skills To Endure Hardship,” www.mayoclinic.com/health/resilience/MH00078/NSECTIONGROUP=2)  

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Lean On God

"The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms..."

(Deuteronomy 33:27)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding."

(Proverbs 3:5)

According to Dr. Harold Koenig of Duke University, people who are actively involved with a supportive faith community will live an average of 7-14 years longer than those who have no involvement. Those of us involved in a supportive faith community see this statistic in action nearly every day. The way our church rallies around those who are in need of support is amazing! The impact of faithful positive social support was especially evident after Hurricane Sandy. 

God wants to be our lean-to and wants us to be the lean-tos for others when there is a need, showing God’s love by supporting others. But there are those who have no chance to see the impact of a loving faith community because they are isolated away from a community of faith for various reasons. It is up to us to be fruitful and share our faith stories with those who have no idea what it feels like to have others of faith to lean on in times of trouble. But for some, leaning on God and others is not an easy thing to do. People in our culture may hide their sorrows and pain because they don't trust God enough. They believe they have to "tough it out" on their own. 

Joyce Rupp, in her book, May I Have This Dance, says: “We have a wonderful lean-to in God whose heart always welcomes us and provides refuge for us. The church offers people who stand by us and offer warmth, support and refuge…. Little things become very significant when we are weak: a smile, a song, a sunrise, a bird’s chirp, a phone call or a letter – all of these can give us strength for our recovery.”

Jesus needed his lean-tos and so do we.We all need lean-tos and we all need to be lean-tos for others. Jesus even sought out lean-to friends as he traveled during his ministry. In Bethany, he went to the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. They always had a place for him where he could kick off his sandals and feel at home. Another example where Jesus shows us to lean on one another is when he brings his disciples with him to the Garden of Gethsemane and asks them to stay awake with him as he prayed. And again on the cross he leans on his beloved disciple John by asking him to take care of his mother, Mary.

The Psalms are filled with images of God as an encircling shield, a shelter, a stronghold when times are tough, our rock and our fortress. God is there for us to lean on as a comfort in illness and our shining light of hope in the dark times. Psalm 59:16 – “And so I will sing of your strength, in the morning acclaim your faithful love; you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge when I was in trouble.”

A Prayer for Leaning on God

God who dwells within, God who is with us in good times and in bad, we turn our hearts to you as we remember that nothing can come between us and your love for us. Thank you for helping us become more resilient even through the difficult times. We trust that the power of your love works constantly in our lives as we lean on you and on others in this faith community. During the remainder of this Lenten Season, remind us to lean upon you as our rock and our redeemer and come to Easter morning with our lives feeling refreshed and renewed. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

A Prayer for Resilience

image from: http://leavingbabylon.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/transition-shift/

Lord, Your Word promises that You “will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Your Truth nourishes the root of our hearts, helping us bloom in the desert. Your love revitalizes us when circumstances threaten to dehydrate our faith.

When we are surrounded by the dryness of uncertainties, fears, or change, saturate us with Your presence. Pour Your peace into every fiber of our being until we radiate with resilience. No matter where You have us planted, help us bloom for Your glory. We love You. We need You. We praise You. In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

—“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25, NIV

Prayers for the Lenten Journey

Simple and heartfelt prayers for each day of Lent. Sharing one for this Tuesday.....

Father of my soul,
Mother of my heart, 
I know your love for me is limitless beyond imagining. 
You care for me as a loving parent. 
Through my smallest Lenten sacrifices, 
help me to become less selfish 
and more aware of your ways. 
Fan the flame of my desire 
to draw ever closer to you. 
Guide me to seek your love.


http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/Daily-prayers-01.html

On the Lenten Journey

We travel through 
deserts and despair


As we focus on how Christ was crucified, 


And is crucified
 in the world today.

We agree to make 
this journey, this pilgrimage,
 

And to leave life as usual,
 Business as usual,


To pay attention,


To be present


To pain and suffering.

The journey to the 
Light of Easter


Can only go this way.


We choose to learn
 this hard truth,


To accept the ashes,
                                                   

To witness the darkness,


To walk the way of the Cross


As it happens in our world.

Let us journey together,
 

Open to the world, 

So we may be renewed 


And help bring to all, 

The renewal Of Resurrection.

(from: https://educationforjustice.org/node/3247)

Our First Love - Our Creator, Our Sustainer, Our Greatest Lover

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matt. 22: 37)

What you are in love with,

what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.

It will decide

what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekends,

what you read, whom you know,

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,

and it will decide everything.

(FR. Pedro Arrupe)