Hello dear ones.
We, as a world wide community, are experiencing an extraordinary moment together. I hope you are safely sheltered in place. I pray that you are finding some peace in the midst of the fears, patience in the midst of the waiting and comfort in the midst of the grief.
I will be posting over the next many months from my book An Enduring Embrace: Discovering the Love at the Heart of Prayer. I decided to post from this book at this time because we all need to know that we are held. Especially right now. We have an urgent need for Presence, for Comfort, for the safe shelter of the Arms of Love.
In the preface and introduction of this book I invite us to imagine prayer as something other than the constricted, empty, pressured activity that we sometimes believe prayer to be. I invite us instead to ask: What if God’s unwavering love for us all is true? And what if we then began to understand prayer to be a loving conversation, a glorious song, a joyful dance, a fervent lament, a safe and enduring embrace — all initiated and sustained by our Maker? What if prayer is not something we do to try to reach a god-who-is-far-away, but is instead the endless movement of grace coming from the heart of the God-who-is-near? What if prayer is God calling to us, God singing over us, God giving voice to the groanings that are too painful for us to put into words, God offering to forgive us and change us and free us, God inviting us into the heart of Love?
May we discover again, or for the first time, the priceless gift that prayer can be.
May you know yourself held in a safe, enduring embrace.
How do I get this emailed to me. It is so critical in such uncertain times as these. Thank you.
Hi, Jackie, thank you for asking. At the top of the blog page on the right hand side you will see the word “subscribe.” Just enter your email address in the box above the word “subscribe” and that should get you on the email list.
Juanita!!
I don’t know how I missed knowing you were here at your blog. So glad to know!
I’ve been thinking often in these days of the Prayer for Peace you wrote for me those many years ago. Yesterday, I took the framed version from it’s place on the library shelf and put it in front of Vella as she took a short break from work. It’s what I’m praying for her in these perilous — and exhausting — times as she works from both home and office to manage resources for the City of Austin and our NPO partners meeting the needs and concerns of our homeless population. So much we housed folks take for granted!
Hi, Judi! It’s so fun that you found me here. Blessings on Vella as she does this vital work for the homeless people of Austin! Praying peace for her, right along with you. Sending much love to you, my friend.
Thank you very much for posting again Juanita . I have a copy of An Enduring Embrace , which
is a marvellous book and I will be very glad to be reminded of a meditation from it each day .
I regret that I did not follow Notes to our Older Selves , as I perhaps deceive myself that I have
not reached that point yet. But I am puzzled not to see your photograph and name at the top
of your email . I hope and pray that all is well with you . You are a blessing to us all
Thank you, Lynne, for your generous comments about An Enduring Embrace. I hope it speaks to you again in this format. I want you to know that all the posts from Notes to Our Older Selves are still available on my blog. You just need to go to the blog at juanitaryan.com and scroll down to find them. Thank you for your concern for me. It was just a technical error. I resent the email with my photo. I and my family are well. I hope you and your loved ones are as well.
So glad to hear that you and your family are well . Blessings on
you all
Thank you, Lynne. Blessings. Stay well.
I am so grateful to get your email with the prayer for the pandemic I have forwarded it to friends. Thanks
Thank you, Jo, for sharing this with your friends!