Yesterday, we looked at how God invites us to dive into the mysteries of God’s love and
grace as little children with a limited understanding of the world around them.
Ignatian Spirituality offers a helpful tool to dip our toes into the deep waters of the mysteries of
God: The Act of the Presence of God.
The Act of the Presence of God is a contemplative prayer that invites a person to “look at God looking at them.” It isn’t concerned with gaining
knowledge about God or hearing from God but just sitting in God’s loving presence.
Some might think that this type of praying is a waste of time. For many, praying needs to have a
purpose, a desired outcome.
And yet, what is prayer? Many argue that prayer is a relationship between a person and the Divine, or at least a conversation that contributes towards
this relationship.
When I think of some of my most cherished friends on this planet, they are the ones that I can sit and waste time with, with nothing planned and no alternative agenda.
We don’t even need to say anything to each other. Just being together is enough for us to enjoy each other’s company and experience one another’s love and compassion.
So perhaps “wasting
time” with God is not such a bad thing after all.
I have found The Act of the Presence of God to be a helpful way to waste time with God and become immersed in the mysteries of God.
It helps me stay out of my head and to become like a child - as Jesus encourages us to do.
Have you ever thought of prayer as “wasting time with God?”
How could praying The Act of the Presence of God help you become like a child and delve into the mysteries of God?
Reflections by Joe Taylor
