True Prayer

“True prayer is the breath of life, 

of radical abandonment to God, 

the heartbeat of a life of radical abiding in God, 

and the action of a life of radical availability 

to God in the world.” 

In my childhood my family didn’t pray.  And, in my 38 years of meditation, as silent prayer, it is my breath of life and a radical abandonment to God — and from this came a natural underlying feeling of “all is well” even though it appeared not to be at times.  

In my marriage to Steve, we pray every morning and evening, at meals and whenever the occasion should arise.  This has been the first time in my life I actually prayed out loud.  At first the words took a while to come.  But, as we are here in Uganda, during our morning devotions, a deep expression of the Heart is coming quite naturally. 

The accomplishments here in Mityana, by the Bradshaw’s, have been over the top.  They have given the credit completely over to the support of prayer from those who have supported their endeavor financially from Maine, USA and of those directly involved here. 

“The life of true prayer releases the Presence of God 

into the world and that world is shaken to its very depths.  

This also suggests that those whose prayer is true, whose prayer emerges from a life of radical abandonment to God,  

whose prayer is a life of radical abiding in God, 

that these persons themselves become the agents of God’s Presence through a life of radical availability to God.”

It feels, to me, that we have opened a door with you in these communications that is releasing the Presence of God into the world.  It is intrinsic.  Yes.  But, while here we can actually see the affects that true prayer is having in Mityana.  You may also see some shifts and changes in your part of the world and in your life.  It is very powerful when you have hundreds of people coming together like this.

Here is a picture from the opening ceremonies of the music school that the Bradshaw’s (and contributors) have created on the campus of the Diocese of Mityana.  I wish you could have been here to see these children come alive through music.  We even saw Henry dancing the traditional African dance.  The school has trained teachers and staff to carry on what Beth & Chuck have started.  Mukama Yebazibwe!  Praise the Lord!  

One small but significant place in Uganda and in the entire continent of Africa where a light is shining bright.  Yet, there is so much that is happening here that we certainly don’t hear about in the news at home or read in books about Africa.  We are seeing this first hand.  Bringing our love and Awareness into this part of the world is key.

“True prayer is a life of radical availability to God in the world.”

Pastor Lazarus told us (recently) of a family in his church.  Both parents have HIV.   The man cannot work because he is so weak, so the family has no food.  The Pastor and his wife have shared food with them, but it’s not enough.  They have five children — the oldest is 7, and a baby due in two months.  Some, maybe all of the children have HIV.  Maybe the new baby will.  The man wishes to send all the children to live with his wife’s mother, but doesn’t have the money for transport.

Money will not fix this.  It would feel good to give money and not have to feel the desolation of this family any longer.  I do not know what is best.  Would the grandmother be the best care taker for these children?  If money was given, would it go for the intended purpose?  Should this family stay together?

We have money.  We are so very wealthy compared to all those here.  Sometimes a gift of money can help a specific situation.  Most times it is more complicated.  Even when money can help,  the needs are vast and way beyond our resources. 

What do we do?  Most of the time what seems best is simple companionship.  To be with others in their need.  To sit with the discomfort and not try to fix it.  This is hard, and requires Grace beyond my capacity.

We pray.  We pray for God’s mercy for the millions in need here.  Those in refugee camps.  Those who will die today.  In the amount of time it takes to inhale, someone in the world will die of starvation.  God have mercy.  We pray for wisdom to work and live in sync with the will of God, a God whose wisdom doesn’t make sense to our understanding at this moment.

This was just one conversation we both have had about what is happening for people here.  It’s beyond both of our experience and comprehension.  We wanted to bring you here to be aware of this.  Thank you for being with us.

… those whose prayer is true, 

whose prayer emerges from a life of radical abandonment to God,  

whose prayer is a life of radical abiding in God,  

these persons themselves become the agents of God’s Presence 

through a life of radical availability to God.”

Love,

Elizabeth & Steve

P.S.  The quote in italics was written by ~ M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.