Praying through a pandemic has certainly changed the ways in which I find myself praying. I have held the same prayers as many of you before God: for an end to this, for health, for healing, for medical personnel. Yet my personal prayer time has changed a lot since having my child at home all the time. I no longer have quite the same access to quiet time alone.
I have taken to prayers of noticing. What do I notice during the day that catches my attention, brings a smile to my face, breaks my heart? I have found this awareness to be a powerful prayer practice.
Yesterday, I noticed and thanked God for these things:
- Tiny uniformly sized bubbles that came out of my body wash as I opened the bottle.
- A fantastically beautiful cardinal outside my office window.
- I had no Zoom calls, and I was able to wear my most comfortable clothes.
I pray all day long as I notice things or as people come to mind. I find this works much better for me than trying to remember my list as I drift off to sleep. My heart broke as I watched the news and saw a terrible accident involving five children, so in that moment I prayed for them. When a member of the congregation comes to mind, I pray for them in that moment. Often, I will know their need for healing or strength and offer that prayer in the moment. Occasionally I just ask God to provide what it is they need in that time.
You see, these are not the all-encompassing prayers I pray on Sunday morning with the congregation. Sometimes, we think of pastors praying in a sort of lofty and expert way, but prayer does not have to be complicated. There are so many ways we can pray during the day — as we cook, as we walk, as we drive, even when we get frustrated with our family. The goal of prayer is to dwell in the presence of God, share our hearts before God and listen for how God may be speaking to us. This can happen just about anywhere, at any time, while doing anything; simple prayers are heard by God. May we rest peacefully knowing our prayers are enough for our ever-present God.
REBECCA GRESHAM-KESNER is pastor at Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, New Jersey. Outside of church and family life, you can find her in nature, finding fun ways to be creative or asking awkwardly deep questions of people she just met.
