When life is fully lived, it becomes a prayer.

When life is lived, it is a walking prayer.

I believe life becomes a prayer, not because the prayer is done, but because the life is lived.

I looked up The definition of prayer;

a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.

Hmm.

Okay first, throw “solemn” out the window, very unhelpful and a big kill joy. Then, toss out the request for help as well.  (this makes it seem as if you are calling 911 and getting someone in the phone).  Sometimes there is a request, but generally I think saying that really f&cks up our perspective of prayer to begin with.

Now the part about “expression of thanks” - that, I can keep.

Then toss out “expressed to God or object of worship” Greeze, no wonder people are confused about God.   This makes it sound like God is the tow truck driver that arrived in the rain to tow you home.  And what is that part about “object of worship?”  What freakin object?  If anyone is expressing gratitude to an object, I can pretty much guarantee it represents something larger. Geeze louzie

Okay, back to the point.  What is prayer anyway?  It is a good question for us to ponder.

Maybe you want to stop reading right here and answer this question for yourself.

(If you are still reading …

From my perspective it is when I am quiet and allow myself the contemplation of Love, Life and the preciousness of it all. I don’t have to be in a cathedral.  There is no formal protocol.  No one else needs to be present nor asked for advice.

This “prayer” happens naturally when I am present, grateful and simply living my life fully.

Now mind you, present, grateful and fully living life are not always easy… lol.

But this is our “work”.  No required visits to church (unless you have a hard time being quiet without a church around you - lol).  No special candle or song.  No pomp.  No one else either (unless they can be quiet too). Sure, you can have some ritual, but it is yours to decide and yours to implement because it feels loving to yourself.

We’ve been so clouded with “solemn” ritual around prayer or God, no wonder people want to throw them both out the window.

But, don’t

Instead, ponder with just yourself how today might be a prayer for you.  Ponder how in brief moments throughout the day you might just say “thank you” to no one in particular.  How in brief moments you might just pause in wonder that life exists at all.  How for just a moment you might feel the love you have inside for another.  And then in another beautiful moment reflect that love back to yourself.

Make today a prayer.  Your own original prayer. Perhaps you take a moment to dance naked around the house. Perhaps you sing a silly song out of tune.  Perhaps you just feel the breeze or take a deep breath… or laugh out loud.  Perhaps you just say “thank you” to no one in particular…

In my humble opinion, this is prayer.

Living this precious life we are given as if it is precious is prayer for me.