"I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first three hours' prayer" -Martin LutherSo it's a great quote, right? This is one of those quotes that finds itself in a sermon in every church in America at least once a year. Then we all say "Wow," and then start hating Martin Luther. Seriously, what kind of pompous jerk says something like that? If someone I knew said that, they would be destroyed. So why does Martin Luther get a free pass? Does he just have enough spiritual credit built up to say really pious things like that?
Two things disturb me about my response to this quote:
- I've realized that, if someone says something especially pious, I automatically assume they are lying.
- I actually don't believe doing this sort of thing as a practice is possible, beneficial, or important.
I'm a fairly upbeat person, but I tend to be fairly sensitive to malarky. Heavy handed use of cliche drives me a little bit crazy; it doesn't feel authentic. But I don't necessarily have the liberty to assume that people, especially those who I consider part of my spiritual family, are inauthentic.
But perhaps more disturbing is the realization that I don't believe it's possible to pray three hours every morning. Of course I know it's possible, but I think it's crazy and unreasonable. But why? Why do I think radical devotion to spiritual guidance is so bizarre? Perhaps I am really just discouraged that I can't say the same, and I've tried.
I don't care to create an impossible legalistic standard, but I do think there is some value in reevaluating what we, or at least I, consider "normal" or "adequate" behavior as Christians.Instead of feeling ashamed and defensive when I hear crazy statements like Luther's, what if I was just happy that someone had that kind of spiritual discipline? What if I actually set my standard for normal behavior on God? What if I sought the kind of lifestyle that He has for me?
I know it can be hard to live up to standards like that.
ReplyDeleteI have recently revolutionized my prayer life by setting my mind to pray through most of the mundane tasks I do every day. I blogged about it on Monday. Instead of grumbling over folding clothes, I am praying through the task.
Sure, sometimes I find my mind drifting, but still. I think I have spent more time in prayer in this last week than I did all of last month. It is working for me, in my life right now. :D
(And, I'm not aiming for pious or pompous, but sharing something that has been incredibly rewarding for me lately!)
Haha, I don't think your pompous or pious, but then I probably wouldn't have thought Luther was pompous or pious if I could have actually spoken with him.
ReplyDeleteYour example made me think of Practicing the Presence, by Brother Lawrence...which I have not read, but I have it on deck. :)
I struggle with prayer because it requires so much spirit stillness. My mind and my life exist in a natural state of chaos, it's just how I'm wired. But communing with God requires a rest that, sadly, is not natural for me.
That's my excuse, and it's not really a good one!