Gloria Pitzer quips, “In parts of the world, people still pray in the
streets. In this country they’re called pedestrians.”
The late theologian and educator Henri J. Nouwen said about prayer,
“As we are involved in unceasing thinking, so we are called to
unceasing prayer.”
For some people, prayer is like a spare tire. They keep it in the
trunk of their automobile and don’t think about it most of the time.
But it’s there if they need it. When they have a flat tire they open
the trunk and rely on the spare to get them through the emergency.
Like the soldier in a foxhole: bombs were bursting all around and he
prayed, “Lord, I haven’t bothered you in twenty years. Get me out of
this alive and I promise not to bother you for another twenty!”
Prayer is far from unceasing for him; it is more like a spare tire.
For other people, prayer is a road map. Not discreetly tucked away in
small compartment and rarely used. Instead, it is spread out on the
car seat next to the driver and consulted regularly. They understand
that the road map is essential if they are to head the right direction
and stay on the correct path. It is there to guide their lives and
must be used at all times.
People of many faiths practice prayer or meditation along life’s
journey. Let it become a frequently used road map rather than a spare
tire and you’ll find you end up where you need to be.
By Steve Goodier