Listening for the Holy Spirit
A UMNS commentary
By David Briggs*
Dec. 4, 2009
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Millions of United Methodists, and hundreds of millions of their
Christian sisters and brothers, regularly say these words – part of
“The Lord’s Prayer.”
But how many of us hope God really listens that closely?
Polls consistently show that most people believe they are going to
heaven, but many are less sure of their neighbors’ fate. Inside and
outside of church, we point reproving fingers at those who do not share
our personal or political views. The increasingly fragmented news and
entertainment media allow us to stay in cocoons of our own prejudices,
while at the same time promoting an unhealthy fixation with the foibles
of others.
What better time than Advent, the beginning of the Western
liturgical year, to reconsider our prayer life, to open our hearts and
souls to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and find new ways to love and
care for one another.
In a package of stories titled “Soul Changing Prayer,” United
Methodist News Service offers several sources of reflection to help
individuals move forward in the eternal dialogue between human beings
and the divine.
A story on 10 ways to improve your prayer life reminds us that
“souls, like vines, tend to grow wild and weak when untended.” An
article on ideas for helping children talk to God offers suggestions
for family rituals and prayer lists that help make these conversations
part of daily life.
In another story, congregations share how they have revived their
spiritual foundations through innovative prayer ministries. For more
inspiration, 10 United Methodists representing the diversity of the
denomination share their favorite Bible verses and books on prayer.
Perhaps what we have to remember most of all is that prayer is a conversation.
We talk to God, bringing our joys and concerns, often asking for
help in our lives. But we also have a responsibility to listen, to
allow the Holy Spirit to transcend our personal desires and limits to
enable us to be open to unconditional love.
Take a moment to listen to the words of the Psalmist proclaiming, “I
cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free
from all my fears.” Or hear Paul’s advice to “Rejoice in the Lord
always; and again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to
everyone.”
And the next time we recite “The Lord’s Prayer,” let’s pause to
consider what it means to ask God to forgive others as we would be
forgiven.
If we listen well enough, we may find peace in the midst of a hectic
season. And others may know us by the good will we spread to all.
*Briggs is news editor of United Methodist News Service.
News media contact: David Briggs, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related Articles
Soul Changing Prayer
10 ways to improve your prayer life
5 ways for helping your child talk to God
Churches shake up routine to revive prayer ministries
United Methodists share favorite Bible passages, books on prayer
Resources
Prayer
How God answers prayer
The Upper Room Living Prayer Center
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