Just Let Yourself Be Seen

"When you pray, talk to God if you can. If you can't just let yourself be seen. Don't try too hard to do anything else."
 ~Saint Francis de Sales

Prayer usually involves us talking to or thinking about God. But prayer should be more than just an exercise of the mind. 

If we only speak to God, our relationship is defined by us posing questions, asking for guidance, requesting help. We then, quite naturally, wait for answers, advice, and solutions. Our expectations are rooted in human experience. But God's ways are not our ways. Sometimes responses do not come in the forms we want. 

If we only think about God, our relationship is defined by mental work. It leads us to analyze God, study God, and categorize God's actions. Our relationship becomes "effort-full," a set of tasks to be accomplished. 

There is a place for speaking in prayer. There is a place for thinking in prayer. But there is also a need for simply being in prayer. 

To rest in God amid our daily struggle is prayer in itself. 

This might take the form of simply sitting in silence, breathing in love, breathing out love. Smiling while doing the dishes. Sending love to other drivers in traffic. Being extra patient with a sibling, spouse, co-worker or friend. Making the details of your day into prayer by intentionally offering them to God as such. 

Not trying too hard. Just letting yourself be seen. This can be prayer enough. 

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18