In
class, the either/or question was posed:
“Shall we pray
to God’s Presence and Power in the Cosmos, opening ourselves to the
infilling of Spirit? Or Shall
we center on the Spirit within, allowing it to emerge?”
It seems to me that if we take the stand that there is One Presence and
One Power, everywhere present, there is not room for too much debate on this
issue. If God is in fact everywhere
present (there is no place that God is not) then either / both modalities of
prayer will accomplish the goals of communion and reflection.
Thinking about a phrase from my childhood “ask Jesus to come into your
heart”…. God (Jesus) must be “without” –
and by the act of asking, then abides “within”?
So even in that theology there is an acknowledgement of the God-presence
in both places.
Lónnie,
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question posed in class I respond with Yes! Both works for me! I have felt the force outside of me and within me. Both give me comfort at different times.
I think God is wherever we want God to be. Inside, outside, under the bed…
ReplyDeleteI have both prayed to the God outside of me, and from the God within me, and both types of prayers have been answered. But not always the answer I wanted. It has always been the right answer though.
Although I no longer believe as I once did, I remember asking Jesus to come into my heart and had an exceptional feeling of elation…and love.
Paradox. Paradox. Paradox. How I just LOVE paradox!!! That's where all the good stuff happens!!!
ReplyDelete