God loves in a nutshell

In the autumn children gather conkers - this is a dried one I collected - it reminds me of Julian of Norwich: 'It was at this time that our Lord showed me spiritually how intimately he loves us. I saw that he is everything that we know to be good and helpful. In his love he clothes us.. And he showed me more, a little thing, the size of a hazel-nut, on the palm of my hand, round like a ball. I looked at it thoughtfully and wondered, 'What is this?' and the answer came, 'It is all that is made.' I marvelled that it continued to exist and did not suddenly disintegrate; it was so small. And again my mind supplied the answer, 'It exists, both now and for ever, because God loves it.' In short, everything owes its existence to the love of God.' Take time out to think on the wonder of God's love for you and creation as you journey around the Prayer Cord. Andrew

COTA's 'Ordo': music for the Jesus Prayer podcast

I've mentioned the Church of the Apostles CD 'Ordo' before, but here's a podcast of the track 'Have Mercy'. This track is an excellent way to lead in to a time of praying the Jesus Prayer using contemporary music. I haven't uploaded the full track - you can download or send for the CD. Enjoy! Andrew

Parenting and Prayer...

Are you a parent? Do you find it impossible to juggle the demands of being constantly available to a young child and being available to God? Matt Stone on ekstasis shares helpful, workable wisdom about parenting and meditation or prayer... check it out.

inspirational artwork

On my recent journey to Lindisfarne Holy Island off the coast of Northumbria I visited 'Lindisfarne Scriptorium', where artist Mary Fleeson creates inspirational illuminated calligraphy and artwork; I quote, 'offering an art form which draws the viewer into an experience of prayer, meditation and blessing'. Her book 'Life Journey' combines beautiful images with inspiring reflections in the Celtic tradition. Her online gallery is worth a visit.

the secret place...

'When you pray, go into your private room and pray to your Father who is there in the secret place.' Jesus the Mystic (Matthew 6:5)
see the World Community For Christian Meditation podcasts

in the Silence...

Mother Teresa, when asked by an interviewer what she said to God when she prayed, answered: “I don’t say anything. I just listen.” When the interviewer asked what she heard God say, Mother Teresa replied: “He doesn’t say anything. He just listens. And if you can’t understand that, I can’t explain it to you.”
This is the “Prayer of Quiet” – a listening beyond words. In that silence we know and are known by God (Francis MacNutt)

New Scientist on Meditation

Steve Wynkoop has noticed an article reporting that scientists have found meditation does more than help us feel good and calm down - it helps us perform better and alters the structure of the brain: see New Scientist article. Intrigued, I noticed an earlier article suggesting that practising spiritual meditation helps people relax more and be better able to withstand pain than people performing secular meditation: see article. I've found I get restless and unsettled if I don't pray or meditate for a while - I wonder if any of my readers have noticed health and wellbeing improvements as a result of prayer and meditation? Andrew

the seamless garment of silence...

From Celtic Daily Prayer comes this:
'There is a contemplative
in all of us,
almost strangled
but still alive,
who craves the quiet
enjoyment of the Now,
and longs to touch
the seamless
garment of silence
which
makes us whole.

(Alan P. Tory)

Physical focus for prayer...

I use the Prayer cord to help me focus. It's physical - the feel of the knots in my hand help my mind not to wander. You don't have to say a lot of stuff; there's a stilling quality about doing it - it's about being in the presence of God in stillness.

I start off with the Cross. I normally say the Lord's Prayer, then I say either 'Lord have mercy' or 'Lord have mercy on me, a sinner'. On each knot I pray for a friend or family member. In the gaps between knots I say 'Lord have mercy'. I'm just holding the person in my hand before God asking God to remember them. I know that God takes over the burden even if I don't stop being concerned about them. CHANDY