Prayer

 As an infant I was baptized Catholic. As a child, I grew up Catholic.  My grandparents who lived close, were Catholic, my mother was Catholic and I went to Catholic school from five years old, to thirteen, where I had nothing but bad experiences. (And that's putting it mildly.) Nevertheless, the idea of a God was so branded into my whole being, that even today, it's difficult to not believe in a higher power.

I'll spare you my spiritual journey, but the mini version of where I am now is that I believe in Jesus's words. I know that his teachings, his life and his sacrafice has profoundly impacted me and the world where I live. But something happened recently that disturbed me so much, I stopped all that I was doing and had to just be still. Be still and listen. 

I saw on social media a group of lawmakers praying as a group, outside, on what looked like to me, the White House lawn, with loads of journalists  there filming. The two women, (one had a mic) were praying passionately,  speaking in tongues and English, along with about twenty others. Journalists were also there snapping puctures, and of course, filming. The whole scene disturbed me. It distubed me that I was disturbed. And as I always do, I asked myself why.

 I sat and asked myself why because my whole life I was taught that prayer was  good.  Why did I feel a tinge of anger and even embarrassment?

It took me a little while to clear my mind of chatter and emotions and just intuitively listen to that still small "voice" deep inside. My first clear thought; a scripture:

Matthew 6:5,6 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray so people will ·see [notice] them. I tell you the truth, they already have their full reward. 6 When you pray, you should go into your [private; inner] room and close the door and pray to your Father ·who cannot be seen [or who is in that secret place; or secretly; in private]. Your Father can see what is done in ·secret [private], and he will reward you."

Prayer is sacred, it's set apart as spiritual, and from what Jesus said, it should be private. It's sacred, holy, and mystical. Clearly, Jesus taught that people who pray in synagogues  (churches) and on street corners, are hypocrites. Interesting!

The last few yesrs I've been using only Jesus's words for my faith. It has eliminated so much dogma. So, I'll leave it there and not arrogantly go on and on with useless debates and interpretations. In the meantime, stay strong and be kind. xoxo