The Praying Artist: God Is My Editor
Prayer is one of those disciplines we often approach like going to the gym: either do it big, time-wise, or not at all. But with "prayer time" often looking like prolonged concentration and bodily stillness, it can be difficult to do faithfully. Limbs get stiff, the phone rings, it seems boring.
As I wrote about last week, a trip to California several years ago played a significant role in reviving my prayer life through the practice of short but regular prayers for a block in my neighborhood. But those proved to be baby steps preceding far longer, more intense walks, which changed me in ways I never expected.
A year or so into my prayers for the block, my church organized a two-day prayer conference. In addition to various short times of praying with others, we wrote a goal for our prayer lives on an index card. Because I was working on the manuscript for my first book, a memoir of reluctant chastity due within months, I said I wanted to pray about my writing more.
I didn't know how that could happen, so, as with many things, it was easy to be pessimistic that I could change this part of my life. Then, mid-summer, relational drama ensued. Under normal circumstances, this could have easily consumed all emotional energy, leaving me useless to do much else. But my writing was already behind schedule. I couldn't not try to cope, but I also couldn't fall further behind on the manuscript.
Overwhelmed by the strain one night, I decided to go for a walk. Once out amid the decades-old brownstones and well-established trees of Sixth Avenue—the route I'd been accustomed to walking down from 10th Street—it seemed natural to address God.
As I walked up the warm, quiet street, with the cover of dark and sweet smell of flowering trees in the air, I dove into all the details of my anxiety: the situation I was unsure how to handle, the stuck part in my writing, the small disappointments of the day. Before I knew it, a mile had passed; two, by the time I came home. A 40-minute walk, and I had spent the whole time praying. It somehow hadn't been hard at all, compared with what 40 minutes of kneeling would have been like.
When my worry returned the next night, I set out for another mile up and back down Sixth Avenue, then another night and another night. Before long, I was walking to pray almost every night and sometimes even twice a night when I was in the worst shape (needless to say, I did not have a typical sleep schedule then). It was not as if prayer ever fixed the prevailing problem that night, but every time, something good happened, even if what changed was hard to describe.
The Seminary Gender Gap
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Comments
Donna Millard
I loved your article for what I call break through praying forms. While I have a certain formula I follow almost every day, I have found if there are changes in my routine, I can practice my formula in different settings. This has given me liberty in my prayer life, and a deep appreciation of the presence of God whether I am active or still. It has been especially uplifting to realize that I don't have to choose between prayer and doing God's will. I can pray while doing God's will!
JANE HINRICHS
Thank you Anna for your honesty and inspiration. My walks with God have been some of my best prayer times also.
Bev Murrill
My dad didn't spend much time with me, but the times that I had his full attention was when I used to be allowed to go with him on his morning walk. Since I became a Christian, my best way of praying is through walking... like talking to my dad, it's easier to pray when I'm walking. I walk outside, but even when I'm inside, I walk up and down... funny, but it works.
KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR
As an extremely disciplined runner, a learning-to-be-disciplined writer, and a not-at-all disciplined pray-er, I LOVE this. Thank you.
MICHELLE VAN LOON
I have slipped into the less-worshipful mode of praying about my work and away from praying through my work as I work. Your post was a needed corrective for me. Thanks.
Laura Droege
Thank you for sharing, Anna. I identified with the part about God being my editor. I'm struggling with writing a novel, and this post reminded me to bring my efforts to God.
Kara Nutt
There are all types of prayer. I was having a bit of concern for my prayer life prompted by 2 people "confronting" me about how they didn't think I spent enough time in prayer. I wrote my first blog post about it on my blog The Worship Warrior. http://wp.me/p1sT8n-5 for interested. But eventually, I worked it out with God which is really the only one who has anything to say on the matter anyway. Kara
Felicity
The discipline connection between exercise and prayer is one reason I think they work so well together. After reading this I realize that often I think I am just brainstorming in my head while really it might be a form of prayer. I'm definitely listening for inspiration! : )
Natalie Cottrell
So much of this post resonantes with me, from my perception of prayer as an epic, official task, to my misplaced importance placed on romantic relationships/significant others. I remember someone (perhaps my pastor) mentioning the value of praying often, all day long, in quick little utterances, whenever I could. It completely cracked open my understanding of our realtionship with God, as well how much joy it brings Him to be such an integral part of our lives, moment-to-moment. It really is an intimacy unlike any other. Thank you for so candidly sharing your walk (literally) with prayer. :)
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