Sunday Musings – December 27, 2020
For what shall we pray?
For many, as I have often noted, Sunday is a day of worship. For others sundown Friday or Saturday is the sabbath. For some there are multiple prescribed times for prayers every day.
Several sources indicate that the word prayer is derived from the Latin “precari” which means “to beg”. The Hebrew equivalent is “tefilah” along with its root “pelei” or its reflexive “Thitpallel” which means the act of self-analysis or self-evaluation.
Sometimes the words prayers and worship are used interchangeably. I have talked to spiritual men and women who suggest that worship and, thus, prayer is simply an act of gratitude
In Christian theology, my understanding of the teachings of Jesus is that one never has to beg for anything from the God of one’s understanding. One merely has to accept God’s Grace or unconditional love and acceptance.
In the 12-step program step one concerns acceptance of one’s powerlessness which, paradoxically, gives one power to surrender to the fact that “no matter what “ one cannot safely engage in addictive behavior. The additive part of one’s thinking may try to convince one that just for today one can safely drink, use other addictive drugs, make one more sale or bank deposit, have one more sexual act to attempt to fill the void, or do whatever it takes to seal one’s power position. Yet once one feeds the addictive part of the brain it is off and running.
To beg for grace/acceptance or forgiveness implies that we have not yet accepted that we are worthy of love; of accepting what is given to allow us to grow spiritually.
Acceptance or trust that we are loved unconditionally; that we will get what we need to accept or fulfil out part or place in restoring balance to the universe requires what Soren Kierkegaard termed the leap of faith.
Acceptance requires that we allow ourselves to be quiet; we quit feeding the lies that we are not enough; the lie we need to be better looking, the lies we need to be more talented, richer, thinner, more powerful, a more talented lover, a different sexual orientation, have the biggest house, the most prestigious career, or only acceptable sins/shortcomings.
The late Louise Hay often reminded her “students” that
“We are perfect In our imperfection.”
Yes we are human. Yes, we want to stive to be our best. Yes, we often fail. In accepting our humanness, we can focus on being grateful for who we are today. I recall a hymn which was often sung in the Southern Baptist church in which I grew up. Ironically even though the church members sang this song while often holding tight to racism, sexism and homophobia, the song proclaimed an essential truth: “Just as I am, without one plea. But that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bid’s me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come I come….. ( music William Batchelder Bradbur).
Whether the god of one’s understanding which holds the whole of all is contained in a Christian framework or another framework gratitude for just as we are is always the starting point for the next step in our spiritual journey.
Just for today on this last Sunday in 2020 it is safe to be grateful for our stumbling walk through 2020; it is safe to be grateful for our joy, our tears, our regrets, our achievements- Just as we are..
Written December 27, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Sunday Musings – December 27, 2020
For what shall we pray?
For many, as I have often noted, Sunday is a day of worship. For others sundown Friday or Saturday is the sabbath. For some there are multiple prescribed times for prayers every day.
Several sources indicate that the word prayer is derived from the Latin “precari” which means “to beg”. The Hebrew equivalent is “tefilah” along with its root “pelei” or its reflexive “Thitpallel” which means the act of self-analysis or self-evaluation.
Sometimes the words prayers and worship are used interchangeably. I have talked to spiritual men and women who suggest that worship and, thus, prayer is simply an act of gratitude
In Christian theology, my understanding of the teachings of Jesus is that one never has to beg for anything from the God of one’s understanding. One merely has to accept God’s Grace or unconditional love and acceptance.
In the 12-step program step one concerns acceptance of one’s powerlessness which, paradoxically, gives one power to surrender to the fact that “no matter what “ one cannot safely engage in addictive behavior. The additive part of one’s thinking may try to convince one that just for today one can safely drink, use other addictive drugs, make one more sale or bank deposit, have one more sexual act to attempt to fill the void, or do whatever it takes to seal one’s power position. Yet once one feeds the addictive part of the brain it is off and running.
To beg for grace/acceptance or forgiveness implies that we have not yet accepted that we are worthy of love; of accepting what is given to allow us to grow spiritually.
Acceptance or trust that we are loved unconditionally; that we will get what we need to accept or fulfil out part or place in restoring balance to the universe requires what Soren Kierkegaard termed the leap of faith.
Acceptance requires that we allow ourselves to be quiet; we quit feeding the lies that we are not enough; the lie we need to be better looking, the lies we need to be more talented, richer, thinner, more powerful, a more talented lover, a different sexual orientation, have the biggest house, the most prestigious career, or only acceptable sins/shortcomings.
The late Louise Hay often reminded her “students” that
“We are perfect In our imperfection.”
Yes we are human. Yes, we want to stive to be our best. Yes, we often fail. In accepting our humanness, we can focus on being grateful for who we are today. I recall a hymn which was often sung in the Southern Baptist church in which I grew up. Ironically even though the church members sang this song while often holding tight to racism, sexism and homophobia, the song proclaimed an essential truth: “Just as I am, without one plea. But that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bid’s me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come I come….. ( music William Batchelder Bradbur).
Whether the god of one’s understanding which holds the whole of all is contained in a Christian framework or another framework gratitude for just as we are is always the starting point for the next step in our spiritual journey.
Just for today on this last Sunday in 2020 it is safe to be grateful for our stumbling walk through 2020; it is safe to be grateful for our joy, our tears, our regrets, our achievements- Just as we are..
Written December 27, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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