THURSDAY, August 27
Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle
Job 8:10. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?
Prayer may be the most intimate practice we ever learn. In my years of praying I learned to do it with my eyes closed and open, kneeling, standing, sitting, swimming, and cooking. For years I practiced prayer with yoga positions. I practice it while I fold laundry and when I lay my hands on a child’s head in passing.
I am sometimes tempted to teach others how to pray.
I feel like I understand the practice and want others to feel the relief I’ve found in it. Then I remember all the different ways we learn and the value of drawing our own conclusions.
God, please teach me. Keep me mindful to respect the dignity of others, their teachers, and teaching moments. Still my tongue but for the building of your beloved. Remind me that more will be revealed—that it’s not my job to curate or initiate the revelations of others.
MOVING FORWARD: What is your favorite method of prayer? Use it with wild abandon today.
Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50 | Job 8:1-10, 20-22 | Acts 10:17-33 | John 7:14-36