Comments on: “Useless Prayer” by Henri Nouwen

By: Faithfully Imperfect Spirituality | alastair johnson

Faithfully Imperfect Spirituality | alastair johnson — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:02:47 +0000

[…] most encouraging thing I read lately was an account of Henri Nouwen’s prayerlife. He is a man I have heard of and considered to be an example of […]

By: Fidgety prayers | Mike's Musings

Fidgety prayers | Mike's Musings — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:38:53 +0000

[…] From The Road to Daybreak, by Henri Nouwen. (I read this here) […]

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:44:27 +0000

In reply to Don. I'm reading "The Life of the Beloved;" well, it's one of the books I've got on the go. Just lovely!

By: Don

Don — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:26:02 +0000

In reply to Anita Mathias. That's my absolute favorite book! I found myself deeply moved just by seeing the title on the book's spine in the bookstore.

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:48:36 +0000

In reply to Mollie Lyon. it is being in His presence that matters. Yes!! " it is having God on your mind at all times, ready for that breath, that comment and listening to His Holy Spirit." Inspiring. I aspire to that, but haven't reached it!

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:45:25 +0000

In reply to Jeff Payne. Thanks, Jeff. Glad you liked it!

By: Anita Mathias

Anita Mathias — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:45:04 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Jones.

I am reading “The Life of the Beloved” by Nouwen. Lovely, and so simple.
“Awesome Anita,” yeah, let’s go with that, as long as I don’t get too swollen-headed :-). Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!

By: Elizabeth Jones

Elizabeth Jones — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:53:32 +0000

Thank you, Anita. I shared the link to this post on my FB page with the comment “Awesome Anita, again!”

I was typing rather quickly, and I didn’t press hard enough on the comma. I intended to type “Awesome, Anita!” But that didn’t happen. I sat back and looked at what was on the screen, and decided I liked that even more. *grin*

I simply LOVE Fr. Nouwen! I have one of his books next to my bed, for just-in-case reading. I have been struggling with regular prayer for decades. God and I have had many, many conversations about that. What you mention in your post is a good thing for me to remember when I feel discouraged–as I do from time to time. Thanks! @chaplaineliza

By: Jeff Payne

Jeff Payne — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 04:18:07 +0000

Anita, thank you for this article.. It helped me think of my own prayer life and my own discipline on reflecting and dwelling in the presence of God.

By: Mollie Lyon

Mollie Lyon — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:26:21 +0000

That is amazing, profound and so encouraging. I have been coming more and more to realize that. Even as a teen, every thought or distraction while I was praying, I turned over to God.I was immature and felt a failure. I learned it is being in His presence that matters. When I didn’t work afternoon turn, in the summer, I grabbed a chair or sometimes just plopped on the step on the porch and think of God and thoughts of Him. I think often of the pray continually. I think it is having God on your mind at all times, ready for that breath, that comment and listening to His Holy Spirit.