So many ways to pray, so many prayers that are not formed as prayers, but are prayers nonetheless. A few poems and fragments here…
– Prayer –
Another Way of Being, Another Way of Knowing
by Michael Leunig
Dear God,
We pray for another way of being:
another way of knowing.
Across the difficult terrain of our existence
we have attempted to build a highway
and in so doing have lost our footpath.
God lead us to our footpath:
Lead us there where in simplicity
we may move at the speed of natural creatures
and feel the earth’s love beneath our feet.
Lead us there where step-by-step we may feel
the movement of creation in our hearts.
And lead us there where side-by-side
we may feel the embrace of the common soul.
Nothing can be loved at speed.
God lead us to the slow path;
to the joyous insights
of the pilgrim;
another way of knowing: another way of being.
Amen.
Art by Michael Leunig
~~~~~~~~~~
Where Breathing Is Prayer
Sit and be still
until in the time
of no rain you hear
beneath the dry wind’s
commotion in the trees
the sound of flowing
water among the rocks,
a stream unheard before,
and you are where
breathing is prayer.
– Wendell Berry –
Sabbaths VI: 2001
Photo by Arthur J. Stewart, “Appalachian Stream”
~~~~~~~~~~~
That is Wnedell Berry, Not William Stafford
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your spotting that and letting me know!