The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Friday, 24 March 2017
"When we are learning how to pray with a single focus, we find out how chaotic our inner life has become. Suddenly, all sorts of distracting thoughts, feelings, and fantasies come to the surface... Don't be surprised at this. You can't just suddenly shut the door of a house that was always open to strangers and expect no one to knock at the door again...
The important thing is faithfulness in prayer. Stay with it as a discipline of daily life. If you choose a definite time, a special place, and a single focus for prayer, then slowly the boredom lessens, the distractions diminish, and God's presence is found. Once you learn to pray at certain times and places, and with a single focus, you may find that it is possible to remain in an attitude of prayer and gratitude throughout the day. This is what St. Paul means when he says, 'Pray without ceasing.' This is what Jesus means when he calls prayer 'the only necessary thing' (Luke 10:42). #HenriNouwen SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
www.henrinouwen.org
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The important thing is faithfulness in prayer. Stay with it as a discipline of daily life. If you choose a definite time, a special place, and a single focus for prayer, then slowly the boredom lessens, the distractions diminish, and God's presence is found. Once you learn to pray at certain times and places, and with a single focus, you may find that it is possible to remain in an attitude of prayer and gratitude throughout the day. This is what St. Paul means when he says, 'Pray without ceasing.' This is what Jesus means when he calls prayer 'the only necessary thing' (Luke 10:42). #HenriNouwen SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
www.henrinouwen.org
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