February 17, 2006
Prayer
An OoN reader wrote and asked about prayer.
I think of prayer more as being than doing. Paul’s “pray without ceasing” is a habit which can lead to a constant attitude, even if not always consciously so. Enclosed in that same “envelope” would be a willingness, especially, a willing of the good. A willing of the good when at all capable will more than likely lead one to do and to be what God wills. For example, rather than praying for miracles, praying instead for understanding, which is to find meaning.
There is a constancy about God’s creation, but not an unchanging one. Evolution is more consistent with the way God does things and the way God is than, for example, intelligent design, which has a sort of static way about it.
Prayer is one way of implementing faith. Faith, not as doctrine, but as a way of living, a willingness. It has been said that faith in God is less apt to proceed from miracles than miracles from faith in God.