Moving Toward God

There is an old Rabbinic illustration that compares the act of prayer to riding in a small boat approaching a dock. From the perspective of the person in the boat, as you grasp a rope attached to the pier and pull yourself in, you may have the illusion for a few seconds that the boat is remaining still and you’re pulling the dock toward you. In a similar way, as we pray we may imagine we’re struggling to move God. However, what we’re really doing, though it may not seem so at the time, is moving ourselves toward God.

It is true. Whether we are praying fervently for God’s help or giving thanks for all that is, the act of prayer itself draws us into God’s loving presence. My friend Rev. Roger Kunkel used to encourage us to pray from Psalm 31, “My times are in your hands, O God.” Today, may you bring before God your gratitude, and anything that may be weighing you down. Pray this simple prayer, “My times are in your hands, O God.” As you do so, may you sense yourself moving securely into his loving presence.

Let us pray. Eternal and Majestic God, you who stretched out the heavens and who formed us from the dust of the earth, we place our trust in you. Receive today our joy and our gratitude. You have blessed us so richly. Take our worries, our anxiety, and our struggles. Grant us guidance, wisdom, and above all a sense of your peace. Our times are in your hands, Loving God, and we give you thanks. Amen.