Unceasing Prayer

Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is "unceasing." Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.

Let's break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.

--Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

I love this picture of the church near our home in Cakovec, Croatia. The contrast between the light and dark fascinates me. Nouwen's words remind me of the difference bewteen light and dark in my own mind and heart. I'm very good at worrying and fearing. Sometimes that seems to be my default setting. And it always takes me to the dark side. Today was a reminder for me that consciously letting that Someone be a part of it makes all the difference.

I much prefer the light.