We can have conversations with God in many ways: while out enjoying nature, in the car on a long drive (just ask Pastor Riitta), by the side of our bed at night, or watching the sun rise in the morning while we have a cup of coffee. But how often do we write down our prayers? A new book, The God Box, is highlighting the practice of writing down your cares and worries, or your wishes for God – those secrets or concerns that you wish God might hear – and putting them in a box. Pyschologists suggest that the practice helps people connect to God (or a higher power of their definition) and also is symbolic of faith, the posture of trusting that God will be there for us. The author of the book, Mary Lou Quinlan, actually found boxes left by her mother, who died in 2006, in which she had written down her prayers to God. One example, cited in the Globe and Mail: “Dear Lord: Protect my good health – my eyes – my family – my dear husband. Protect Jack in decisions in his job. Protect Marylou and Joe in their jobs.”
Sharing our concerns and worries with God, especially if they are moving us forward, by putting them in a box, sounds like a healthy practice – so long as we don’t forget to play our part. That means listening when God, and the Christ-figures in our lives, try to show us how to face those fears, or improve our relationships. Our connection to God is not meant to be a one way conversation – where we put our worries in a box and wait for God to fix them. We must do the work, as the gospel lays it out for us – and that work is often hard and challenging.
If you like the idea of writing down your prayers, how about trying to add to your God Box all the things that you are thankful for, all the dreams accomplished, and the special everyday moments that stand out for you.
Then years later, if your kids find your God Box, they will know, not just what you fretted about, but, more importantly, what you cherished.
If you would like to read more about The God Box, here’s the piece in the Globe: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/the-god-box-transferring-your-troubles-to-a-higher-authority/article2443574/
Sharing our concerns and worries with God, especially if they are moving us forward, by putting them in a box, sounds like a healthy practice – so long as we don’t forget to play our part. That means listening when God, and the Christ-figures in our lives, try to show us how to face those fears, or improve our relationships. Our connection to God is not meant to be a one way conversation – where we put our worries in a box and wait for God to fix them. We must do the work, as the gospel lays it out for us – and that work is often hard and challenging.
If you like the idea of writing down your prayers, how about trying to add to your God Box all the things that you are thankful for, all the dreams accomplished, and the special everyday moments that stand out for you.
Then years later, if your kids find your God Box, they will know, not just what you fretted about, but, more importantly, what you cherished.
If you would like to read more about The God Box, here’s the piece in the Globe: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/the-god-box-transferring-your-troubles-to-a-higher-authority/article2443574/
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