My soul sighs awaiting your living Presence; for I sense your Love and Light.
My heart wells up with gratitude and praise,
as I recall the innumerable blessings You continually bestow.
When I ponder the plight of the world, my heart weeps for all the oppressed.
How long, O Merciful One, must we endure the greed,
the arrogance of those who are in power–
Those whose harts have turned from You, who follow not the way of Love,
Who have become blind to the Truth,
and deaf to your Voice whispering in their hearts?
Awaken the people of the earth, O You, who are the Great Awakener!
In your steadfast love, melt all hearts that have turned to stone;
long have we awaited a great Spirit-quake.
Nan C. Merrill Psalms for Praying
Reflection:
I’ve heard it said that God is always present but what is lacking is our awareness. And that worked for me for a while. But sometimes I can’t shake the feeling that God isn’t present. Try as I might, using all of the spiritual practices and breathing techniques I know, I can’t seem to sense God’s presence. I’m trying to be aware of God’s presence, but it feels empty. I don’t know how to explain that feeling exactly. But what I do know is that I’m not the first person to feel this way.
When it happens, I try to acknowledge the feeling without letting it ruin my entire week. I notice it like thoughts/feelings/stories that my mind creates while I’m doing centering prayer. Or I watch it float past on a river, like a mindfulness retreat leader taught me to do. Either way, I know the feeling will pass and eventually I will feel God’s presence again, just maybe not in the exact moment I want to.
I also let these moments of *not* feeling it, give me permission to change up my spiritual practices, study, and rest routines. Sometimes simply taking a break from spiritual practices can be a spiritual practice.
Period Pastor Pad 