We center ourselves, empty ourselves, and focus ourselves. We listen, meditate and communicate. Really, though, why do we do this? We must remember that this centering and emptying cannot be solely for ourselves, to be pure, or even to be one with God. This is hard enough to do, I understand. But we must exceed such motivation and dare to take upon ourselves the pain of humanity!! In this deeply rooted prayer, the peaceable kingdom comes to life. In being, we are a witness to life. The Christian answer that our burdens have already been taken care of is not true of the present age. Jesus may have bore our sin, but he certainly did not bear our responsibilities to Himself or humankind. This thought only encourages and accepts that we are inevitably involved in making our own narrow selves the chief end of existence. MLK Jr once wrote, "Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of man and is not concerned about the social and economic conditions that scar the soul, is a spiritually moribund religion only waiting for the day to be buried."

We have the beautiful privilege to lose our life for the sake of others. It's a privilege, people! This type of prayer is risky and demands utter responsibility when our concerns are voiced. I have to remind myself daily that dialogue with God is possible and works in a togetherness in renewing the earth. If I don't see passed myself, I die. I DIE. I hinder the influence of the power of love revealed inwardly. And this power of love in prayer is my ONLY, and I mean only prevention of cowarding to a cynical and hardened heart.

There is a stream of life that is happening though-- just as the spring season sprouts, grows and blooms-- so do the hearts and hands of men and women who sow abundantly into the peaceable kingdom of God. And secretly and mysteriously, these seeds are coming to LIFE.