Spiritual Directors International receives many prayers for the people and issues that create a concern and cry of the heart.

Please add your prayer as a comment to this post. Each month SDI will republish this blog post to cultivate compassion and prayer within our global learning community. This ongoing post replaces the "Prayers" blog category.

 

 

Henri Nouwen writes,

“There are as many ways to pray as there are moments in life. Sometimes we seek out a quiet spot and want to be alone, sometimes we look for a friend and want to be together. Sometimes we like a book, sometimes we prefer music. Sometimes we want to sing out with hundreds, sometimes only whisper with a few. Sometimes we want to say it with words, sometimes in deep silence.  In all these moments, we gradually make our lives more of a prayer and we open our hands to be led by God even to places we would rather not go.”

In this time of world wide web connections, may our varied online prayers continue to cultivate compassion and connection.

Simply add your prayer or by clicking the link below. Your prayer or comment will post within 36 hours.

Peace ...

 

 

“I see you,” Jake says to the tall, blue-skinned, native woman, Neytiri, in the futuristic, sci-fi epic movie Avatar. The greeting implies a connection beyond seeing with only the eyes. Much like the Indian Sanskrit greeting, “Namasté” which means “I bow reverentially to you,” the phrase “I see you” is used throughout the film to communicate a deep respect for the whole being. Not only does Jake learn to truly see Neytiri, but he also learns that deep-seeing leads to revering the interconnectedness in all of life.

My favorite scene involves Jake visiting the Tree of Souls. As a former Marine who is a wheelchair user, Jake becomes more and more involved with Neytiri and the plight of her people. He receives encouragement from Grace, a scientist who works on the “Avatar” project. In the film, he is forced to choose between following corporate orders to destroy a forest or helping the native Na'vi people. At a loss for how to help, he visits the Tree of Souls in the faraway world of Pandora, seeking connection and to be seen as his true self. It’s such an uncharacteristically Marine and corporate male thing to do: Jake the hero pleads for spiritual guidance from a tree and from a strong native woman, Neytiri. I loved it! 

Australia member Jack Stuart recently sent me his thoughts about the film, “In light of Marysville and Black Saturday, I found Avatar a fascinating movie that has a strong element of caring for our planet and at times calls for a contemplative approach to our living. I'm not too sure if the makers realised this. [Carl] Jung said that often we are not aware initially of the import of what we say or do.”

In spiritual direction, we listen with more than our ears. We listen with our hearts for the whole being of the people we companion. We offer the opportunity to be seen and to be heard.

What a privilege to live in a time when the ministry of spiritual direction is “being seen” by more and more people, thanks to helpful media coverage like the brand new PBS Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly television program. Like Jake, people want to learn about spirituality and be truly seen and heard. Thank you for helping people awaken to the connections among seeing, listening, and tending the sacred in all of life.

I ask for your supportive prayer as I prepare for left knee surgery on 3-3-10. I have been & continue to trust in our loving GOD. The knee is important but it is surrounded by a live sciatica nerve & other complications. I am trusting in the Infinte One to take care of it all. I feel his Presence deeply but sometimes lose my focus. Sending Light & Energy my way will be appreciative from all of you. Blessings, Joan

Please pray for me to forgive God, myself, and my parents due to years of child/teen abuse. May God heal me of depression, anger, bitterness, and feeling unloved. Secondly, may God supply financial help/work. Thank you-Samuel

Would like your prayers for my son in law, who has Glioblastoma, which is one type of brain cancer. He has a wife and 3 children, who are all having a difficult time as they watch the changes in him. They know God is with them, but the journey is still very hard. My daughter and son-in-law's children are age ten and under. Thank you very much for this opportunity for prayer. A friend of mine just returned today from your conference in Ireland. Can't wait to hear about it. God bless.

I have just been told that my second part-time job will be reduced significantly. I am making an attempt to stay current on all of my bills. I pray that God will provide for me like He does with the birds. I know in my heart He will. Please, Lord, help me release the fear...the fear of not having enough, the fear of the unknown, and the fear of change.

Please pray for respect and clarity in work relationships. Thank You.

Dorothy is in need of your prayers; adrenal glands completely shut down, severe headaches, Cushing's disease & a miracle will allow her to walk again; her daughter, Leigh started new chemo pill for breast cancer; Bruce, God's favor; & Jim, a touch from God. Thank you & we will pray for you also.

I need spiritual guidance or direction to battle sloth.