The greatest prize of my lifetime is to awaken each day centered in prayer. Life alone will not give us what we need to be happy and at peace. These days our world seems so tattered and broken overcome in our violence, political strife, wars, addictions, self destructive tendencies and anxiety. Alone unto ourselves we don’t seem too adept at balancing it all.
My practice of praying although a lifelong aspiration took root during a period when my wife was dying of Alzheimer’s, I was her caregiver, and I struggled to keep it all together and my business still functioning. I was overwhelmed and needed help constantly. Praying was my only way through the chaos.
As a young college student I contemplated studying for the ministry but decided on another path.
At that time I was deeply influenced by a Jewish Rabbi, mentor and college professor at Marquette University. He told me this story.
“ In the ancient world there was a famous rabbi who when his people were threatened would go to a sanctuary in the forest, wear a special prayer shawl, light a ritual fire, say a special prayer in a prescribed ceremony. Miraculously it seemed his community was spared its adversity. ….. Generations had passed and another rabbi emerged who continued the tradition when his people were threatened by adversity. He remembered the sanctuary in the forest, but could no longer find the prayer shawl or remember the ritual prayer. Nonetheless he would light the fire 🔥 and pray for God’s mercy and protection for his people. Once again miraculously his people were spared. God found his dedication sufficient.
Finally, many generations had passed again and yet another rabbi emerged to advocate for his people in distress. He no longer remembered the sanctuary in the forest, the special prayer shawl had long since been lost, he had forgotten the special prayer and ceremony but could only light a solitary candle beside his armchair and advocate for his people and their deliverance. As the story goes God found his intentions sufficient and his prayers for restoration were answered”.
No matter our time or place or circumstances humility of the heart in prayer shall be taken as sufficient .