Praying in Nature: Close Contemplation

July 23, 2017 ~ Prev | Intro | Next

During July we are focusing on how the natural world can enhance our prayer life.

Meister Eckhart, a Christian mystic who lived in the early 14th century, is one of many Christians who found a connection with God through close observation of nature. He wrote:

Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things.
Every creature is full of God and is a book about God.
Every creature is a word of God.
If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature – even a caterpillar – I would never have to prepare a sermon, so full of God is every creature.

We often go through our days without paying much attention to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. But sometimes it in in close contemplation of details that we can find the hand of God.

This week, take time out to focus on a particular natural object with the intention and desire to see God. It may be Eckhart’s caterpillar, in which you might observe its tiny mouthparts, its camouflaged colors, its various legs and bumps. It may be a flower with its pistils and stamens and soft petals or a leaf, in which you see veins and texture. Think about how this object is connected to its environment and how this reflects the connectedness of all things through God.

As you focus on the natural object, you may find your thoughts moving to other issues. Allow God to speak to you, but continue to focus on the object. Give thanks to God.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush is afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit around it and pick blackberries”

--Elilzabeth Barrett Browming