After taking a long walk while taking in the beauty of God’s creation, I returned to my hermitage while on retreat.
I sat myself down in a comfy chair and fell into my meditational centering prayer. The challenge for me with this particular form of prayer (which I love, by the way) is how my mind tends to wander.
The Drifter
I find myself drifting from thing-to-thing because in the silence of prayer, my mind goes to those things that have recently been in my active thoughts. These range from concerns at work to challenges at church. I just never know what the interruption will be, but it always seems to happen.
This used to frustrate me, but I have finally learned and accepted the fact that this will always happen. Our minds are always churning and the wheels are always turning. If this didn’t happen, we’d probably be dead.
Coming to this realization was a big hurdle that I finally crossed over. But this day while in prayer, an image appeared that may even help me more when these random thoughts arise.
The Vision
I envisioned a desolate and remote area with nothing but two chairs. It could have been an empty room or a vacant space outdoors. Either way, the main focal point in the scene were the two chairs.
As my eyes were drawn to this spot, I witnessed two people sitting in those chairs. As I focused in, one of the individuals was me. Suddenly, I became that person sitting in the chair.
As I looked up, sitting directly across from me was Jesus. We each sat there, gazing into each other’s eyes. And I heard myself say, “Speak to me, Lord. I’m listening.” I sat there with Jesus in the silence of prayer, and it was amazing.
Bringing It Back
Anytime my mind began to wander, I brought myself back to that image of the two chairs (along with saying my sacred word in my head). This really seemed to calm and focus my mind, and any outside thoughts seemed to vanish at a quicker pace.
Two chairs and silent prayer – just Jesus and me. What a glorious revelation!
Thank you, Jesus, for providing me with this beautiful image. May it always bring me closer to you in my daily prayer. Amen.
Rising very early before dawn, Jesus left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. ~Mark 1:35
Prayer is a powerful thing. Click here to find out why.
