A midweek reflection on prayer seems appropriate — I know my work week seems to culminate on Wednesdays and I need a reminder every once in awhile to just breathe.

Unitarian Universalists have many different approaches to prayer. Since we as a movement don’t have a creed stipulating the existence of any particular god or gods, many wonder who we might be praying to. The Rev. Jenny Rankin from First Parish in Concord, MA, has a wonderful reflection on this very question. (Note — the fabulously poetry-like line breaks are her own.)

Pray without Ceasing: Creativity, Spirituality and Prayer

Written by Rev. Jenny M. Rankin, First Parish in Concord, MA
Sunday, February 4, 2007

We met in the parlor of the church last week
And it was quiet.
Mid week, mid winter, mid day
We sat in a circle,
Mostly women, one brave gentleman,
We sat,
Working with our hands on whatever we had brought
A scarf to knit, a block of a quilt to sew, a rug to braid.
In the parlor.
The room is warm and quiet,
the colors of the rug are rich and red.
It’s easy to lose track of time there,
Easy to lose track of lists and schedules and
All that seems so urgent in the world outside.
It is peaceful in this circle,
With the clock ticking,
Our hands moving,
And silence all around.

* * * * * *

(Read on … )