Reflections on Prayer

Earlier this week I took a Spiritual Formation track at a conference.  As we delved into the old idea of prayer and spent time in meditation and reflection, I came away with a page full of questions.  I'm not expecting answers from Father. 

Instead I feel like I'm looking at an image, waiting for this blurry idea to gradually come more into focus as I become more intimate with it...

PRAYER IS THE DISCOVERY OF JESUS WITHIN THE FABRIC OF OUR LIVES.

~ K.M. Dyckman & P. Carroll

IF PRAYER IS COMMUNICATION...
When God speaks thru others - is that prayer?
When God shows us something in our circumstances, is that prayer?
When I feel His presence, His smile, His power, His Holiness - is that prayer?

"ALL PRAYER IS RESPONSE."  ~Basil Pennington

When I feel a desire, a passion, an empathy, a joy - is that prayer?  Is this a response to God's stimuli - to His finger on my heart or His whisper to my soul?

THERE IS NO "THERE" TO GET TO.  IT IS TO KNOW GOD IN THE HERE AND NOW.  ~Cherie Tetz

When I act out of submission to walk in obedience is that prayer?  Am I not communicating to Father?

PRAYER IS OUR ENTRY INTO WHAT GOD IS ALREADY DOING THAT IS MUCH GREATER THAN OURSELVES.  ~Eugene Peterson

When Father blesses, intervenes, answers - is that prayer?  Can I hear what He is saying?  Do I undestand the import of His message?

PRAYER IS DANGEROUS! IT CARRIES WITH IT ONE GREAT ELEMENT OF RISK: CHANGE.  IN PRAYER WE OPEN OURSELVES TO THE CHANCE THAT GOD WILL DO SOMETHING WITH US THAT WE HAD NOT INTENDED.  WE YIELD TO POSSIBILITIES...  ~S.J.I.

When I notice great beauty, design, creativity, is that prayer?  Does not
my appreciation communicate something to Him?

PRAYER IS THE SUM OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.  WE ARE WHAT WE PRAY.  ~ Carlo Carretto

BE OPEN TO SURPRISE.   ~ Cherie Tetz

Is being more aware of the meaning of a message deeper prayer?  If I am more impacted by a message of God's love, are we connecting on a deeper level?

GOD SHOWS UP DISGUISED AS OUR ORDINARY LIVES.  ~Cherie Tetz

Don't my service, my "doing", my acts of obedience communicate?  Is that prayer?

IS my VERY LIFE prayer?  Is my life a communciation between God and myself? 

PRAYER FLOWS OUT OF MY LIFE AS IT IS, NOT AS I THINK IT SHOULD BE.  I SPILL OUT MY DEEPEST DESIRES, BLACKEST FEARS, STRONGEST HOPES... I DO NOT PRETEND TO BE OTHER THAN I AM.  ~ K.M. Dyckman & P. Carroll

Can there be a relationship with God without prayer?