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Prayer Life
by Sister Audrey Buttner,
FMI
I would like to share
with you how I have developed my prayer life over the years.
In the past, my main focus has been on reading spiritual books and scripture,
then meditating on these readings. I still do this, but my prayer has taken on
another form.
Since I have been a volunteer with Hospice, an organization which works with the
dying and their families during terminal illness and death, I have come to see
how God gives a person a beautiful life, and how this life is taken away. The
dying have taught me so much. When I visited a patient for the first time, I
found myself wondering, "What can I bring this person? What can I have in my
hand? What am I going to say? What if I cannot answer this person's questions?"
I now realize I need to go open-handed, with a listening heart, to listen to
their needs. As I get to know the people, I ask if I may pray with them. I try
to pray about the things I've heard, or what I feel would help them through this
difficult time- reflecting their personal needs. I take their hands in mine to
symbolize our common faith.
How has all this changed my own prayer? Now I look at life in a different way. I
realize life can be taken away from us at any time. So I go to pray with an open
heart; I try to be silent. I listen; my hands are open, waiting to be filled.
Yes, it can be beautiful, but for me, as for my patients, there are things I
don't want to hear, or things I want to avoid. God will help us accept and live
with the difficulties of life if we are faithful and open. My personal prayer
has been greatly enriched with hospice patients.
As a member of a religious community, I also find my community prayer
supportive. The different types of community prayer are very helpful. As a
community, we use vocal prayers most of the time, but we adapt these prayers to
our community and personal needs. The balance of personal and community prayer
is very supportive in my Marianist life.
Sr. Audrey is working in
Toledo, OH with home/health care nursing. She and her community live among the
poor.
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