The Simplicity of Soul Food
Contents of this page:
"My secret is simple. I pray." Mother Teresa
God is inviting us to reclaim and experience a spiritual birthright through prayer. We are invited into God’s heartbeat. Prayer is simply conversation with the Tender One. The conversation may be spoken or silent. Sometimes our feelings are too deep for words. The Gentle One understands those feelings and fears. We can simply "be" and "rest" in the Presence of the One who cares. Spiritual healing can begin. We learn to trust God through prayer.
Prayer is soul food. Many have found common ground in their spirituality with such simple food. It is the gentle calling of God who wishes to gift us in prayer. God is wonderful to be with. God invites us to simply "be" in the Presence. A banquet table of soul food awaits us!
Praying through silence, stillness, use of a sacred name and Scripture help us hear the whisper of God. Body prayer can also enhance and prepare us for these prayer practices. Journal writing can begin nourishing conversations with God while hearing God’s gentle response. These prayer practices have been enjoyed throughout the ages.
Many have experienced prayer teachings as "talking to God." Few have experienced simply resting in God. Contemplative prayer is not a monologue. Often we dictate to God how we feel the world should be. We can be so busy talking we fail to listen to the still small voice. Without stillness and quiet, we fail to hear the Whisper.
God yearns to speak with us in the silence.
Jesus Christ was the perfect contemplative in prayer. He knew how to rest in God’s heartbeat while living life full of purpose and meaning. Christ prayed, lived and died greatly. He did not teach his disciples (students) to preach. He taught them to pray. The life of Christ offers deep prayer insights.
Prayer transforms, empowers, heals, changes history as well as our personal lives. It is God’s precious gift for all of us. God desires to help us pray. We are blessed.
"God is ready the moment we are!"
The Simplicity of Soul Food is available to every one.
Jesus was the perfect contemplative. His prayer life offers us a rich variety of soul food. Silence, stillness, solitude, and praying with the Hebrew Scriptures were his common prayer practices.
Jesus Christ frequently sought periods of solitude for prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15-16; 6: 12). He understood the need for prayer. We are restless without God and made for such conversations.
He had many places to fast and pray (Matthew 4: 1-11). He insisted that prayers without times of fasting (voluntarily going without food or drink) were crippled. He taught his followers how to fast (Matthew 6: 16-18). Fasting helps us inwardly focus on God’s whisper. Our prayer lives are strengthened. We pray with greater depth and awareness.
Jesus said pray for enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5: 43-44). He taught it again and again. We pray it in the famous "Lord’s prayer." Christ modeled this incredible God -empowered forgiveness with his dying words on the cross. His dying prayer was "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
Jesus taught everyone needs a private place for prayer (Matthew 6: 5-8). He called these "prayer closets." In these closets we can pour out our needs and feelings safely to a dear heavenly Parent. This Caring One knows what we need before we do. Every reader is invited to a secret place for private conversations with this Holy One. Prayer closets are transforming.
He would deliberately pray with his disciples. He knew we needed the power of prayer.
Prayer transfigured Christ and can cause us to be radiant in the Presence (Luke 9: 28-29). Christ was so beautiful in prayer that his followers asked him to teach them how to pray (Matthew 6: 9-14; Luke 11: 1-4).
The most famous is known as the Lord’s prayer . This is an intimate, politically incorrect prayer for those who want to be part of a spiritual revolution!
Christ knew Scripture intimately and in context. He quoted Scripture to the tempter during his great temptation (Matthew 4: 1-11). Christ loved the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). There is great beauty and power in the Word of God.
Christ never used Scripture out of context. He interpreted scripture with a fresh eye that is urgently needed around the world to liberate, dignify and stop injustice with oppression to those we don’t understand. He never used the Bible to outcast, dehumanize, denigrate or humiliate people.
He understood his dear heavenly Parent was all about Love. Loving parents do not discard or reject their children even if they are "different" from the majority. They cherish and nurture them. God is worthy of our trust even when earthly parents fail.
Lord, teach us to pray!
The Psalms were often prayed by Christ. He memorized them from childhood on his parents knees. They are the cries from our heart when God seems distant or even absent. Christ prayed real suffering and anguish as he hung from the cross. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"(Psalm 22:1)
The Psalms give us prayer language for the most difficult, frightening and even isolating times. They give us a universal prayer book for praise, lament, repentance and even revenge. We find words to confess personal failings, celebrate moments of joy and make statements of faith. We learn how to pray for those we love. They teach us prayers for our enemies.
Do you lack words for prayer? Try the Psalms. There are 150 Psalms written by real people often in what John of the Cross calls "the dark night of the soul." People have wet the pages of this beloved prayer book over the centuries and found hope in all circumstances.
Do you long to praise God? A good soul food sampler can be found reading Psalms 111 - 118. A marvelous doxology concludes the prayer book from Psalms 145 - 150. Praise the Lord. Alleluia. Amen. Praise uplifts even the oppressed and those bowed down with difficulties.
Lament is the "backbone of the Psalter." A taste of lament can be found in Psalms 13, 22, 39, 88, 130. These cries come from the heart.
Revenge and raw hate are also very real emotions. There are biblical prayers crying out to God in honest human heart cries. These feelings cause us discomfort but are very real. God knows them and these Psalms can help us pray "our dark side." These feelings can be found in prayer language in Psalms 10, 58, 69, 109, 137. Many are written by the ancient King David who was known as a man "after God’s heart."
Hatred and bitterness need to be prayed for healing and help. Try praying them in your prayer closet. Give those feelings to God. God is capable of hearing our true feelings.
Prayers for divine forgiveness and repentance are essential for our soul! The early Christian church quickly recognized their worth in the life of faith. The most famous are Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. Many around the world read them during the Christian calender year of the Lent season which precedes Easter.
But they are appropriate for every day of the year! Confession is good for the soul! It is essential for healthy soul care. Without confession, we distant ourselves from the Loving One who created us.
The Psalter is full of a rich variety of soul food empowering all who read them. Whether we are part of a spiritually rejoicing or hurting humanity, the Psalter offers ancient wisdom and prayers tested over the centuries. The Psalter is a beautiful prayer book.
There are many Bible reading plans. Some readers may enjoy browsing through this sampler. For others, a complete reading of the Psalter is desired. If you read five Psalms a day, this prayer book can be read in its entirety in one month. A popular North American vitamin supplement is named "One a day." If you read one Psalm daily as a spiritual vitamin, you can read this collection of prayers in all its richness twice every year.
Bon appetite.
Praying with a tender, loving, intimate name for God
Jesus understood our need to be intimate with God. He gave us a tender name for the Holy One. His favorite name for God was "Father." He used this tender name over two hundred times in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Once would have been significant!
We must acknowledge that for Christ, God was a tender and beloved heavenly Parent. He was not afraid to compare the Holy One with "mother" images as well. God was a trusted Mummy and Daddy. The Hebrew words common used at that time for Mummy and Daddy are "Amma" and "Abba."
Today many Christian churches distance themselves away from this tender Parental relationship with the Holy One.
Jesus was viewed as a theological troublemaker for he modeled tender intimacy with a Beloved Parent. God was never distant or unapproachable for Christ. God is a dear Parent who is searching for lost children.
By age twelve, Christ was already teaching about his dear heavenly Parent (Luke 2: 49)! These are spiritual revolutionary names. A God who is Father/Mother; Abba/Amma; Daddy/Mummy is a nourishing spiritual relationship for many. In ancient Jewish history at the time of Christ, parents were deeply respected and revered.
Christ was able to call God both "Father" and "Daddy (Abba)" during his Gethsemene prayer (Mark 14: 36). He clearly understood his dear, loving heavenly Parent would not abandon him in his hour of deepest need and anguish.
Many in the world have been deeply injured or rejected by an earthly parent. Far too many little children suffer incest, abuse, and neglect by those who should be protecting and nurturing them. Some cultures sell their children into prostitution. Parents do not always love their children. Not all children love their parents. Some children have been deliberately rejected by biological families when parents learned of their sexual orientation.
God will never abuse, reject, demean or ridicule us. God yearns to gather us in loving arms. God’s love is for every one. This Dear One has no preferences for gender, orientation, race or nationality. All are cherished. God continues to love when we are unable to love in return.
Jesus understood and modeled a healthy spiritual life for us.
If calling the Holy One a parental name is painful, consider a new name for God. Spiritual healing can begin. Experience and experiment with names helpful for you in your journey.
Some of the names found helpful and healing are: Dearest, Tender One, Loving One, Gentle Healer, Beloved Shepherd, Mummy and Abba. Search with all your soul for an intimate, trusting, loving and cherished Sacred name
God will honor you prayers. "We can only pray as we can."
Consider praying a tender name for God. It is a rich spiritual heritage to reclaim.
The simplicity of prayer can begin simply by opening our eyes. If you’ve ever yearned to help someone but didn’t know how, try praying for them. Jesus taught very simple prayer. He said ‘open your eyes. See people with compassion. Pray they experience God’ (Matthew 9: 36-38). Intercessory prayer is good for us. We enter God’s heartbeat. We see people as God sees them. God sees all people without prejudice or preconceived ideas.
A marvelous story is found in the Gospel of John (chapter four) about a woman. She lived in the country of Samaria. She was an outcast among her own people who were viewed as outcasts by their Jewish neighbors. Christ went out of his way to meet her. He offered her living water to satisfy the needs of her soul. The Jewish disciples were surprised Jesus would spend time with someone their society and religion devalued.
A beautiful conversation followed. Christ said ‘open your eyes. See all God’s searching people. Pray for them in a spirit of spiritual generosity and hospitality. Pray for them with compassion. Pray they experience God. People are hungry and thirsty for God.’
We can pray too! All we need to do is open our eyes. Look. Pray.
"The meaning of life is to be seen."
God yearns for seeking people to be seen in every city, village and town.
Jesus Christ is a missionary Savior. He taught his followers to pray for the desperate, the broken, the rejected, the ridiculed and the refused. Pray with the eyes and heart of Christ. There is a place at God’s table for every person.
The Lords Prayer and Lectio Divina
"History belongs to the intercessors."
The simplicity and power of intercession (praying for others and ourselves) is found in the six simple prayer requests taught by Jesus. Jesus taught his followers how to pray for others as well as themselves. This prayer has come to be known as the Lord’s prayer. It is found in Matthew 6: 9-14 and Luke 11: 1-4.
Christ’s followers asked "Lord, teach us to pray." This is what they got! It is our spiritual heritage also. It is one of the most famous prayers in world history. The early Christians often quoted it upon rising and throughout the day.
In reclaiming this beautiful prayer we can change the world, cause spiritual and physical revolutions, transform lives, bring hope and usher in the Reign of God. Every element of worship, intercession, thanksgiving and penitence is here to change the world as God wishes it to be.
This is liberation theology, spiritual justice, concern for world hunger and much, much more. Yet sometimes we need to be changed by God before we attempt to change the world!
Lectio divina is one of many ways to be more available to God for personal change and transformation. In lingering quietly with a simple phrase or passage in Scripture, we can experience the Presence of God in a fuller way.
Lectio divina is a holy reading. Try reading ten words or a small chapter in a slow, reverent way. Rather than dissecting a passage for intellectual content, we allow the Word to shape us through holy rereading.
The Lord’s prayer can be a beautiful experience with lectio divina. Linger over the first two words. Perhaps another word or phrase in the prayer will cause you to pause. Slowly, quietly begin with reading the prayer. Perhaps a word "shimmers" or catches your attention. It gives a sense of God’s presence for you. Allow yourself to reflect on those few words.
What might the spiritual meaning be for you in your life? It may not be clear, yet God is at work in you. It is our openness to God that matters. Feel free to actively pray through this word. Allow yourself to move to a still presence in God. Stay gently in the Presence.
Whether you linger two hours or five minutes, you have been in the Presence of God.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 8: 31 - 39). Jesus offers us personal friendship. It is through friendship we may most fully experience the Mystery of Divine Love. Christ is approachable and invites us to linger in conversation with him.
A wonderful experience can be found in John’s Gospel. Before Christ is betrayed , he lingers with friends for a final meal. These are powerful, intimate conversations with Christ among friends (chapters 13-16).
We are invited to be among his friends. Christ offers us tender love and comfort in these beautiful passages. We are invited to abide in Christ. We are offered friendship with the Good Shepherd. Christ came so we may experience life and that our joy may be complete! He promises us the Presence of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, teach and help us in all of life’s circumstances. We are taught to be faithful to our Friend even in times of persecution and the world’s hatred. Christ has overcome the world.
Spiritual peace with God is our blessing through friendship with Jesus Christ.
Soul food is found in personal friendship with Jesus Christ. A simple reading of John’s Gospel is about that friendship. It is for everyone who seeks after God. Jesus Christ is available for all people.
We can read these gracious words of friendship through John’s writings. He is known as the beloved disciple. He and Jesus were the best of friends. When all the others deserted Jesus, only he remained with the women at the cross. Friendship is a powerful expression of love.
We are invited to experience that deep friendship with Jesus Christ.
Praying in the name of Jesus Christ
There are many names for God and ways to pray. There are many marvelous spiritual truths and insights among the world’s great religions. But there is a very special spiritual experience and power in praying our prayers specifically in the name of Jesus Christ.
There is something about Jesus that will cause every knee to bow and person to confess. Jesus Christ is the Name above all other names (Philippians 2: 1- 11). We are invited to confess him as Master, Friend and Lord.
Praying in the name of Jesus Christ is a very simple. Jesus taught his people to pray deliberately in his name. These passages of Scripture can be found in that tender Upper Room spiritual conversation (Jn 14: 13-14; 15: 7-8; 16:23). Praying in the name of Christ is an empowering God connection.
We are praying in the name of our Friend who is God’s love story for us. A very special prayer relationship is enjoyed in the name and power of Jesus Christ. This powerful praying is available for all seekers.
Perhaps some readers have never prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. A wonderful prayer experiment can be enjoyed by simply praying "in Jesus name, amen!" Consider praying before your spiritual reading. Ask God for the ears to hear and the eyes to see transforming spiritual truths and insights. Ask God for these simple things "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
We so often hear Jesus is God’s gift to us. Know that you are God’s gift to Jesus Christ. Friendship with God is precious and a spiritual heritage to cherish.
A Blessing
May the peace of Christ and all the blessings of God be with each of you. May your soul food experience be one of wonder and ever growing love. May the kindness of God meet you and bless you.
May you be "Surprised by Joy."
The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tenderloving- kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.
