Episcopal priest Adam Bucko describes a simple prayer practice that sustains him, and reminds us that even our vocal prayer offers opportunity for contemplative practice:  
One of the greatest lessons in my life about prayer came from a renegade rabbi who spent decades working on the streets… He [gave] me these simple instructions: “When you pray, talk to God just as if you were talking to your best friend. Tell the Holy One everything. Especially, dedicate specific times each day when you tell God about all your worries, all your hurts, all of your problems. Take off your mask and just speak. If you do that, if you really let your whole essence speak to God like that, some days there will be a lot of tears. But that’s a good thing. And when you are done telling God about your hurts, … just silently rest in God, letting God hold you. And then for the rest of the day practice joy and optimism knowing that you are God’s beloved child, knowing that you are loved, and knowing that you are carrying a great gift in your heart….”  
In some of the most difficult times in my life, this way of prayer is what saved me....
Please join Deacon Bob Smerek and the MMOC Contemplative Core Team for “Contemplative Conversations – An Evening of Reflection and Dialogue on Contemplative Practice” on September 23 at 6:30 pm in classrooms 1 & 2. Contact us at [email protected] or 314-578-0062 for more information!
Submitted by Andy Dapron