Simple, quiet rest ...

A Prayer by Henri Nouwen

Why, O Lord, is it so hard for me to keep my heart directed toward you? Why do the many little things I want to do, and the many people I know, keep crowding into my mind, even during the hours I am totally free to be with you and you alone? Why does my mind wander off in so many directions, and why does my heart desire the things that lead me astray? Are you not enough for me? Do I keep doubting your love and care, your mercy and grace? Do I keep wondering, in the center of my being, whether you will give me all I need if I just keep my eyes on you?

Please accept my distractions, my fatigue, my irritation, and my faithless wanderings. You know me more deeply and fully than I know myself. You love me with a greater love than I can love myself. You even offer me more than I can desire. Look at me, see me in all my misery and inner confusion, and let me sense your presence in the midst of my turmoil. All I can do is show myself to you. Yet, I am afraid to do so. I am afraid that you will reject me. But I know--with the knowledge of faith--you desire to give me your love. The only thing you ask of me is not to hide from you, not to run away in despair, not to act as if you were a relentless despot.

Take my tired body, my confused mind, and my restless soul into your arms and give me rest, simple quiet rest. Do I ask too much too soon? I should not worry about that. You will let me know. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Amen

Today we will be starting our next spiritual discipline, or experience. You may read this before or after our classroom experience. I have read and reread this prayer many times since I have been studying spiritual disciplines. Just reading it today as I type, I realize how much it represents where my tired and restless mind goes every day.

My challenge to you all is to use this as a prayer to begin and end your day with. I know that this may be difficult to remember to do this. Take this and print it off. Place it where you will see it often. Over this next week we will be praying this prayer. There will be other focuses of prayer that we will be dwelling on, but I wanted to give you something to aid you in your prayer life. It may seem strange to say the prayer of someone else for your own personal time with God, but think of it as taking the words of a close friend and brother and allowing his wisdom to help guide you when you don't know what to say yourself.

Out of our conversations with God will come streams of living water, refreshing and rejuvenating to your soul. Let this overflow into your life and to the lives of those around you.

Jason