Every Action Is Prayer

            Beginning this January as part of my almost daily spiritual practice I read a page in Pocketful of Miracles by Joan Borysenko.  A few days ago the daily meditation included the sentence:  “Consider every action a prayer.”   It was one of those sentences that made a chime of truth ring in my heart.

            Over the last several years my understanding of prayer has changed a lot.  Prayer is much broader and more varied than words spoken in corporate worship or private prayer.  Prayer is more free flowing than extemporaneous words spoken or thought.  These actions are prayer, but so are many, many others as long as they are done mindful of God’s presence.  If I prepare a meal and do so as if God is with me in the kitchen, that is prayer.  If I take a walk along the beach, and do so aware that God is at my side that is prayer.  If I sing to my granddaughter, and imagine God’s arms around her along with mine, that is prayer.  If I drive to do my errands, and send a thought of blessing to the other drivers, that is prayer. 

            To do this I try to make my mind run on two tracks at the same time.  One track is focusing on the activity and the other is staying aware of God’s presence.  When I am able to be aware of God’s presence while I am doing other things God and I are closely connected.  We are in communication even though I am not thinking or saying words.  And every action becomes prayer. 

Creation in Bloom

Yesterday was my first day back to my painting group for six months - since before my two stem cell transplants. Part of the joy of being in that group is the drive to and from Rockport. Route 128 is lined with trees on that route and every single time, the trees look different, depending on the season. Yesterday, I could just catch a hint of green budding on the branches - a sure sign that REAL spring is coming, not these teasers we've been having. Joy and exhilaration filled me - and those words are not too strong for how I felt, almost overcome by the dependability of creation, renewing itself every spring. I decided to take the long way home and, as I meandered through Lanesville and Annisquam, I had the same feelings of joy and exhilaration, gazing at the dogwoods in full bloom and the yellow forsythia bursting with life. For me, just allowing myself to experience that overwhelming beauty brings me into God's presence and is one of the deepest forms of my prayer life. I keep forgetting my camera. Maybe next week I'll remember. I want to try to capture some of the beauty for future painting inspiration - and for a tangible reminder of the eternal renewal of life in creation.