Let Your Life Be Your Prayer

“Let your life be your prayer.”

When I first heard these words I remember feeling bewildered by them. It was as though I heard something very important but did not yet understand its meaning.

All I knew was something deeper inside myself resonated.

A beloved teacher of mine was teaching a six week course on the topic. I had no idea what the curriculum was or where it would lead us, but something in me knew this was important.

It wouldn’t be until much later that I would recognize that this course had been something I was searching for. To understand for myself that, in a more practical and tangible way, my life (every life) could be lived as prayer.

This course of learning changed the way I saw myself and my purpose in life. It highlighted for me the longing to lead a more devotional life and to make the role of spiritual practice a basic ingredient for my everyday life.

This strengthened everything I felt about the role of spiritual devotion in a more or less secular life, but in some ways I still doubted my capacity to apply it. So, working to unwind the confusion and come into clarity with myself became a priority over many years of practice..

With practice, I remember feeling more resourced, connected, and inspired in life. I began to see more of my life events (even the most challenging ones) as teachings, less like unwanted obstacles, and more like gifts in the making. I have learned so much since then.

I haven’t thought about this class in years. And then one morning recently, after some time sitting in stillness, there it was. I had remembered where all of my work started and why.

I remembered how clear I felt that this was a purposeful direction for me even if all the pieces were not there yet. I had the tip of a new thread. A life of prayer. A life of devotion. A life of intent. A life inspired by beauty and supported by the ineffable mystery unfolding.

Back then prayer was a confusing word for me. I wrestled with it. Today, after many years of rolling it around in my heart, I know what prayer means to me. For me it is deeply personal and I believe it is unique for each person. When regarded with respect (for all of life and numerous perspectives) it can offer us so much.

You don’t have to be religious or even consider yourself spiritual to pray. Leading a life of devotion starts in the waking of the heart. To feel this all you need is a bit of curiosity and an open mind for a place to start. And perhaps a longing for something better and more true to arise from within you.