What I Learned About Prayer
A story about learning that prayer can provide personal guidance.
Be in the Present
It's my day off, but I can't stop thinking about work, a year from now, or even ten years from now. Focus on today. Today I can be free if I can focus on today.
This morning I did my usual ritual of prayer. I've been praying for guidance and direction for myself. It amazes me how the answers to a prayer flow. The answers unfold daily into my mind. Never are they the answers I expect. It is the "aha" moment. The "WOW"! The awareness of understanding on ways to solve a personal struggle.
Be aware of the "Now"! I would never have picked "be in the present" as the direction I would receive after prayer. That is the first idea that flowed into my mind. I am off for another week, I thought to myself. Enjoy the present moment and freedom this week. Stop worrying about the future. Be in the moment of each day.
Sit, Rest, Do Not Worry
I picked up my phone to read scripture from an app after prayer. I couldn't help clicking on YouTube just for a quick peek. This video popped up first thing. It wasn't a channel I watched or a person I was familiar with. I pushed play out of curiosity. A man, Thich Nhat Hanh, starts the video by saying, "Sitting and doing nothing can be very enjoyable." My jaw dropped. I read the title of the video, Sitting, Resting, and Not Worrying. I watched the entire video. It convinced me to relax, notice my steps, see life, and relax. Wow, what a blessing.
Ideas continued to flow into my mind. Creative solutions to problems I've been working on just started pouring into my mind. I solved several issues that had been plaguing me for years. If sitting, resting, and stopping the worry can do that, It's worth my time.
"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." Thich Nhat Hanh
Sitting
I sat in my chair after my creative problem-solving to relax more. Thoughts once again flowed. Visuals of a pebble in the sand flowed into my mind. The pebble sat in the sand, unworried about life. The waves rolled in and out. Warm sun above. Sounds of waves gently rolling. The visual brought peace of mind.
Two more thoughts flowed:
Go to the mountain. Observe nature. What do you notice?
The world is busy. Make it stop! Ask yourself what matters most. Focus on that.
"Go to the mountain!" As I visualized a mountain scene, I saw a beautiful rock area surrounded by pine trees. A butterfly fluttered past, and the sun shone brightly. It felt peaceful, unrushed, and worry-free.
I Learned
Asking for direction and guidance during personal prayer can bring awareness that will bless and support you. It would help if you were open to that guidance. It can come in the most unusual ways. It can be a thought, a YouTube video, a book, or an insight that flows into your mind as you go about your day. Be open to receiving that guidance. That is what I learned.
“I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me to live.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Blessings,
Bobbi Lynn Gibson
Website: www.bobbilynngibson.com
Blog: https://www.bobbilynngibson.com/blog
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy reading the following:
My Article: Prayer and God Are Always My First Line of Defense
My Amazon Affiliate Link for the book: No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh
My Amazon Affiliate link for the Book: You Are Here: discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh