Copyright 2005 Rev. Amy B. Freedman

Prayer and Spiritual Practice

Rev. Amy B. Freedman
Channing Memorial Church
October 16, 2005

When you are preparing to become a minister, colleagues begin to teach you the tricks of the trade. Growing up Unitarian Universalist, I had often taken part in Sunday services. However, once I entered seminary, I returned to my home church to participate in worship over some vacations.

One Sunday in particular stands out in my mind when the minister and I really shared in offering the entire service together. Every church has a slightly different liturgy and so we met early in the sanctuary to review the transitions. I had selected the passage for the spoken meditation. He reminded me to deliver the meditation from the lectern. I will never forget what followed. My dear colleague told me that after I introduced the silent meditation I should look at my watch for one and a half minutes and then say "Amen".

This simple instruction was akin to revealing that a beautiful pastoral scene was only painted cardboard. From the pews, the minister always appeared engaged in a moment of reverence with his hands resting on the lectern and his head bowed. What a surprise to discover that instead of leading the congregation into a connection with the sacred, he was looking at the second hand of his watch for one and a half minutes!

Perhaps this was just his way of letting a rookie know how long to hold the silence. The following Sunday I returned to the pews and when the congregation entered into a time of silent meditation, I peaked. From where I sat it was impossible to tell whether he was looking at his watch or not. Of course, what was clear was that by wondering about the minister and analyzing his actions, I was no longer truly meditating.

From that moment on, I vowed to be as authentic as possible during worship. During silent meditation instead of focusing on my watch or thinking ahead to what I am going to do next, I turn my attention to the flow of my breath; remembering the words of Buddhist teacher Joanna Macy that it is as though I am being breathed by life. Each inhalation and exhalation is an opportunity to center in the present moment, and to remember that this is the only moment that I have.

What is the difference between meditation and prayer? There are guided meditations and centering prayers, which brings the two spiritual disciplines quite close at times. However, I want to acknowledge some distinctions. As I mentioned, the church where I was raised had meditation as a part of the Sunday service. This included a reading and a time of shared silence. The aim of this was to have a moment of quiet to become fully present. Sometimes it was also an opportunity to reflect on the theme of the service as it related to personal experience.

I have continued this practice in congregations where I have led worship. Spoken words followed by silence. However, the first service I led in January of this year, something changed. Instead of a meditation, I asked the congregation to join me in the spirit of prayer. Several people commented to me how powerful it was to join others in a prayer lifting up their hopes and fears. This has been a significant change for me as well- a more intentional connection to the sacred.

What is the role of prayer for a Unitarian Universalist? What does it mean to us? What should it mean to us? These were questions that emerged during the Spring Worship Retreat here at Channing Church. They are good questions. As a non-creedal faith, they are difficult to answer. The role of prayer for a Unitarian Universalist is as individual as the people gathered in this sanctuary. That is because churches do not have beliefs, people do. As a community who draws inspiration from many sources, the spiritual practices among us also vary widely.

Given that fact, this congregation, this gathering together of distinct individuals, contains a wealth of insight on prayer. Some of you may have been raised Catholic, reciting prayers routinely by heart maybe even hearing them in Latin. Many of you may have been raised saying bedtime prayers and continue that practice as an adult or perhaps with your own children. Some of you may say grace before each meal or during special celebrations with loved ones. Those of Jewish heritage may offer the traditional prayers in Hebrew and English marking the Holy Days of the liturgical calendar. Through yoga and silent meditation, many may experience the opening of the body and the heart through those spiritual disciplines. Many here today are spiritual seekers who have consciously left behind religious observances that do not hold true. To some, prayer may no longer have meaning for you or simply has never been a part of your life.

Even with the variety of our experiences and beliefs, each one of us has the capacity to pray, if we so choose. I would go so far as to say that prayer has an important role to play especially given the pace of modern living, the anxiety of our times, and the challenges of the world that we share. Prayer can be an opportunity to connect with a power greater than ourselves. Prayer is a way to mark the time, both times of beauty and pain to recognize their significance in our lives. Prayer allows us to communicate our needs and feelings with a Higher and deeper power than our individual ego. I am not an engineer but I like the analogy of oil streaming through a narrow pipeline from our reading this morning. The tubing is designed so that the diameter widens out at intervals, which allows the oil to spread out, to slow down, and flow more evenly. The same is true for us. In the course of our days, it is important to find moments of inner calm, which allows us to refocus and to reinvigorate and continue our lives with less agitation.

During the Worship Retreat, participants shared where we connect in the worship service here at Channing Church. Folks mentioned the music, readings, sermon, and hymns. However, what stood out was the significance of the Song of Praise that we sing together each and every Sunday morning, #123 in our hymnal, "Spirit of Life".

Several people said that "Spirit of Life" is an essential part of their worship experience. Many church members including children no longer need to look at the printed text in the order of service or hymnal but know the words by heart. Members are not asked to memorize the song but through regular attendance, gradually the words become more than familiar, they become a part of us. Knowing a song by heart allows the lyrics to flow through you and surround you instead of just being on a page. During "Spirit of Life", some people close their eyes to focus inward, others gaze softly at the stained glass windows for inspiration or grasp the hand of a loved one for personal connection.

"Spirit of Life" is an expression of our Unitarian Universalist faith. The composer is Carolyn McDade who wrote several other well-loved hymns including "Come Sing A Song With Me" and "We'll Build A Land." Carolyn was born and raised in Louisiana as a Southern Baptist. Her life journey eventually brought her to New England where she attended Arlington Street Church in Boston. Historically, that is the same congregation that William Ellery Channing served through out his ministry. During the 1970's she became involved in the Women's movement and anti-nuclear efforts. Through the encouragement of the minister at Arlington Street she also returned to her love of music and began composing songs.

In her autobiography, Carolyn McDade recounts how "Spirit of Life" came about. In her own words, "It was not written; it was prayed into being." After attending a Social Justice Meeting at church, Carolyn returned home late and full of despair. You see, it was one of those meetings. One of those meetings where there was a lot of talk but no accomplishments. One of those meetings when a group of well-intentioned but flawed people left her feeling angry and frustrated. One of those meetings that caused her to wonder if it was even possible to work together to make the world a better place. Sound familiar? I certainly can relate. There are times when I despair over the seeming futility of our efforts especially given the magnitude of the world's problems.

So, Carolyn McDade went home to a darkened house. Since the meeting went late, her family had already gone to bed. As she often did, she sat down at the piano to play and sing. Out of the darkness of that night and the darkness of her despair, came "Spirit of Life". Unlike other songs she had composed, the tune and lyrics emerged complete.

Years later, here is how Carloyn McDade describes the experience: "Even now I remember the despair. . .finally at home, my family asleep, I did what I so many times had done. I moved to the piano. In the dark I sat. As always, in singing my heart was freed. There was no plan or expectation in that moment, only a deep and immediate plea by a despairing soul to all that moved generatively through life. My ardent desire was to stay faithful to the movements I loved, to the people of these movements, their tally of goodness toward a world healthy and just for all, a world in which reverence shone among us. The prayer was complete. It connected me and continues to connect me with that which I need in order to continue on."

Spirit of Life. The name speaks of the Holy without limiting it. Through this simple yet powerful song, we are called to connect with our deepest selves and highest power. It evokes our connection with all that lives in order to have the resources to remain open to the stirrings of compassion and dedicate our lives to justice.

"Spirit of Life" is a resource that you can carry with you at all times. I know this because it is a song I have sung at a hospital bedside as someone neared death. It was sung as a part of my wedding to Peter over a year ago. A church member found himself humming the song as he prepared for chemotherapy. It is our common prayer.

It has been said "Prayer is a path where there is none". When our minds and our hearts are unable to find a clear answer, prayer is a way to engage with the comprehensive mystery of our existence. Like Carolyn McDade pouring her heart out in song, each one of us can speak aloud our struggles and aspirations.

Some people reject prayer because they believe it must begin with traditional words like "Dear God" or "Our Father". For a theist, that may be the perfect address. However as the poet reminds us you do not have to pray to someone you do not believe in. Your prayer can be to the Spirit of Life or God of my Understanding or Mother Earth, Source of Creation, the Universe or your own conscience. I encourage you in the week ahead to pray aloud, write in a journal, or find time to reflect in silence. It may seem awkward at first to actually find words but by giving them voice, we are able to open up to reserves of strength and fresh possibility. Prayer is a path where there is none.

Pray for yourself to overcome your failings, for guidance in your latest challenge.
Pray for others who you love, who suffer, who are in need of support.
Pray for our world that we may find a way to work together toward greater peace and understanding.

The Christian mystic Meister Eckhart wrote, "If the only prayer you say in your whole life is 'thank you', it would suffice." Gratitude is a form of prayer. Thanks for this day. Thanks for this church. Thanks for these people. Thanks for the blessings of food, home, family, friends. Thanks for the opportunities to learn, to work, to play, to love, to make a difference.

In the words of Milosz, "Prayer constructs a velvet bridge" that "unveils a meaning we hardly envisioned" . To do so takes more than one and a half minutes- it takes a lifetime.