Friday, May 2, 2008

Wait and Pray Friday Five


Sally from over at Revgalblogpals writes about Ascension day:

Part of the Ascension Day Scripture from Acts 11 contains this promise from Jesus;"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Then he was taken from their sight into the clouds, two angels appeared and instructed the probably bewildered disciples to go back to Jerusalem, where they began to wait and to pray for the gift Jesus had promised.Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....So how do you wait and pray?

1. How do you pray best, alone or with others?
I think I'm much better at praying with others, whether in hospital rooms, in my office, or in another person's home. Having another person to pray with focuses me better. I pray alone as well, but sometimes I get distracted. I have just discovered Praying in Color, which I am using for part of my "alone" prayer time.

2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety?
I believe in the necessity of waiting, but I don't like it. I want it NOW. (just like many others in this "instant gratification" culture of ours.) I do believe that the key to fruitful waiting is mindful activity of some sort. I also believe that sometimes this is true: "We are the ones we are waiting for."

3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise?
Yes, many times. If you mean an answer to prayer, I waited many years before I got married. And I prayed for the right person for a long time.

4. Do you prefer stillness or action?
Action. (Also perhaps why I like the book Body Prayer) But not just busi-ness for busi-ness sake. We do have to "be still and know.." But I do believe that prayer leads to action, to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.

5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to recieve?
Spiritual or otherwise? Hmmm. This is not tongue in cheek. I would like the gift of courage. Courage to pray boldly. Courage to write. Courage to say hard things. Courage to act.

Tongue in cheek? The gift I would like is more time. I don't know which way to go: more time per day, or more years, but I'd love to stretch the time.

15 comments:

Fran said...

This is an exception Friday Five and your responses are equally exceptional.

Diane you have so much more courage than you realize.

Unknown said...

Praying in Color sounds really interesting, thanks for mentioning it!

Di said...

Time, indeed!

Gannet Girl said...

Courage would be a very good one.

Going to check out Praying in Color.

Sally said...

I too like the thought of praying in colour- and like you find body prayer helpful!

RevDrKate said...

Great answers. Ok, gotta go get more books. Why is I seem to often have that response to visiting your blog?

Pastor Sherill said...

Thank you for sharing about Praying in Color. Looks like an another Amazon order!

Teri said...

Thanks for the praying in color tip! I really like body prayer too (at least sometimes). Good play!

Anonymous said...

A very good friday Five. I especially lke the "praying in color." Have a good weekend!

RevAnne said...

Great play...like many others, I'll be checking out Praying in Color. Thanks for your play!

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

oh diane you're nothing like the cowardly lion... me thinks you've plenty of courage welled up within you that just needs to be put to the page, er books, er writing... uhm using this great gift in bold ways! we're behind you!

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Courage and time! YES!

Barbara B. said...

I'm with you on the time-stretching!

Terri said...

Courage - what a wonderful answer...we all need courage, I'd say courage with dignity or grace...

Lindy said...

I have a feeling you're plenty brave. And when you're not feeling that way just think back to your sermon where you talk about how God is for you... that one helped me.