Learning to Pray

I’ve started saying my prayers in the Shrines differently, and it’s really exciting for me. In my mind, when I’m praying for someone I picture them. So, I’d picture my parents, then move on to Nae in his apartment … the locale helped me. But I found I was still getting distracted. I’d start thinking about the person, or just wander off. So, one day I thought “I have to make you sit still” … so I did, in fact I made them sit down and pray with me – in my mind. Now I do it with everyone – and I go through all of the Dornbrooks and all of the Fojases, as well as some friends. I’ll have a whole family sit down with me and pray. It makes me pay attention to how I’m reciting the prayer in my head, too – no more just rote reciting of the prayer. I say it like I would if I was saying it out loud. In fact, for families w/ small children I’ve even started singing the prayers to them (again, silently). And it’s interesting – sometimes people do things – in my mind – that I don’t expect them to do. Yesterday, I was saying a prayer for Rachael and because I had her sit down in her living room, Eric sat down, too, with her. And afterward, they both hugged me - just spontaneously. I didn't think, oh that was nice, I'll hug them. It’s allowing me to be more respectful of all of the people for whom I am praying – seeing their nobility. By the way, I hope no one minds that I pray for you. I'm not praying, like, oh I gotta' save that sinner... prayers are for your assistance, in whatever way they can help you in your life, your struggles and your joys.