Posted on 10/18/2005 6:41:15 PM PDT by sionnsar
Tue Oct 18,11:38 AM ET: The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told worshippers to compare praying to sunbathing, except that it is soaking in the light of God.
Williams, the spiritual leader of the 77-million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion, said on a BBC radio programme that many people had trouble praying and thought it was a matter of "generally getting your act together".
He said worshippers struggling to pray would be better off comparing praying to lying on a beach.
They should stop trying too hard and just be where the light can reach them -- in this case the light of God.
Williams admitted he was not a keen sunbather but there was something about doing it that revealed more about the experience of prayer than a slew of religious jargon.
"When you're lying on the beach or under the lamp, something is happening, something that has nothing to do with how you feel or how hard you're trying," he said.
"You're not going to get a better tan by screwing up your eyes and concentrating. You give the time, and that's it.
"All you have to do is turn up. And then things change, at their own pace. You simply have to be there where the light can get at you."
An interesting metaphor, but I still don’t think you can top the time-tested words of the Fathers on prayer. I do, however, very much like his comment that when one prays, “something is happening, something that has nothing to do with how you feel or how hard you're trying.”
ping
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. I was worried when I saw the title that he would say that we should be careful not to "overdo" it! However, he makes a wonderful analogy.
Living in contact with Him is not a part-time thing. It is more addictive than crack cocaine on a Saturday morning. The Holy Spirit is not an on again, off again kind of Person.
Prayer that connects with Him will lead a person out of the wilderness (I do know this).
Get the H.S. He is the Holy Guide. It is hard to imagine He can be followed...but listen to Him. He speaks the truth. It is possible. Yeshua has paid our price and can (if we let Him) lead us into a sinless new world. I am a sinner (much more than you)...and He came for me. He came for you too...if only you will accept Him.
Yep, I am an idiot. If you look into Him, you will become a joyful idiot too.
This clown is a Grade A, certified freak. What an embarrassment.
So what does it mean if you get a sunburn?
You're toast?
Thanks for the ping. I just have to make sure I'm not wearing SPH 50 Godblock.
Praying you aren't.
Great blog (I assume it's yours). Keep up the great work!
Praying is like sunbathing -- it will ruin your skin, give you cancer, damage your eyesight and waste a lot of time you could have spent doing something useful?
If you want to compare prayer to something passive that will do you good, how about comparing it to taking a shower? You are bathing in the presence of God, washing away your sin, and with a little extra effort you can emerge clean and shining and refreshed for the day.
So what does it mean if you get a sunburn?LOL!You're toast?
Personally I prefer Son bathing in front of the Blessed Sacrament. ~The Curt Jester
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