Friends, I’ve been battling some exhaustion. Here are some thoughts on contemplative practice for when we’re tired. Pray anyway but be relaxed about it. This week I fell asleep a couple of times in my meditation-prayer sits and welcomed the chance for my body to relax and doze off. I also tried lying down for the duration of a prayer sit. I put one hand on my heart and one on my belly and simply breathed and rested. Another “prayer pose” I take sometimes when I’m weary is to set my meditation timer and cuddle up with my dog Snickers. Such postures of rest restore.
It is so hard to be a contemplative while raising children. Perhaps being an attentive father is also a way you pray. Thanks for the soaking prayer image.
When I'm especially tired, I try to go for a walk and be in the silence. Or sing praise songs in the car during my long commute. Also, I am a big believer of praying while in the bathtub, so you're soaking metaphor had me laughing!
Hello Mark, Yes I love that image of soaking in prayer. I am so with you on this exhausting time, I am healing from knee surgery and to wrap my knee in a hot pack and rest with the Lord at 6 am with a cup of tea and the joy of praying and reading the Word is such a holy time for me. I feel a deep connection with healing and all of life, as the branches are connected to the vine. Thank you.
It is so hard to be a contemplative while raising children. Perhaps being an attentive father is also a way you pray. Thanks for the soaking prayer image.
When I'm especially tired, I try to go for a walk and be in the silence. Or sing praise songs in the car during my long commute. Also, I am a big believer of praying while in the bathtub, so you're soaking metaphor had me laughing!
Hello Mark, Yes I love that image of soaking in prayer. I am so with you on this exhausting time, I am healing from knee surgery and to wrap my knee in a hot pack and rest with the Lord at 6 am with a cup of tea and the joy of praying and reading the Word is such a holy time for me. I feel a deep connection with healing and all of life, as the branches are connected to the vine. Thank you.