Holy Club 18

Is Christ real to me?

Is - not was! There have been several times in my life when I've been brought up sharply as I realised that my experience of Christ was in the past (largely because I wasn't actively seeking him in the present) and had to seek a new experience of Christ. Lent's a great time for a spiritual check up - how recently have we experienced the transforming presence of Christ.

There's a strong link between our experience of Christ and the quality of our prayer life.

I long to become one of those Christians for whom prayer is as natural as breathing.

The Holy Club stopped to pray several times a day, others try to pray all the time!

I love the Orthodox tradition of praying in tune with your breathing - the classic prayer is 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

Have mercy on me a sinner.

The idea is to say the first phrase as you breathe in and the second phrase as you breathe out.

As you slow your breathing, the prayer gets stronger and creates an inner stillness in harmony with God.

I've never managed to get to the point where it's as natural as breathing, but it's simple, easy to remember  and Christ-centred - a good starting point.

Other Christians have substituted different phrases (try a Psalm) - the discipline is in the repetition so that it becomes part of who you are, not something you do.

Bible passage to meditate on: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24