Taken By Surprise

A Small Spirit Filled Moment

Image by Avelino Calvar Martinez from Pixabay

I try to pray with my heart
Not just speak some formulaic phrases
Often I’m not successful
Prayer that is alive
Stirring
Not self-conscious
Is all too rare these days for me
I set aside the time
Make the effort
But so little of myself truly engages
Is fully present
Often my actions seem robotic
Artificial
An obligation or duty to be performed
Words float away into the ether
Leaving me empty-alone-frustrated

Mystics would call this the”dark night of the soul”
Having experienced God’s loving embrace
Its absence is a deep loss for them
I am no mystic
Only an ordinary soul
Satisfied when able to feel even a bit of warmth
Hoping to kindle a spark of light
Which is glorious when it does happen