I don’t know whether this Office has a prayer room, but wanting to spend some time with the Lord one lunchtime, I didn’t find out, as we’re not allowed any religious symbols in our multi-faith prayer-rooms, they’re just rooms. Then I thought it shouldn’t make any difference, as we don’t worship symbols – but as someone remarked the other day, we in the SA have symbols, the same as any other Church. But I do feel it easier to draw near to God where there are religious symbols to concentrate the mind, and in a place which is dedicated specifically to God, rather than just a room set aside. God seems to be in the atmosphere of worship and prayer in such a place. It brought to mind those persecuted Christians throughout the world, who can’t have any symbols of religion because they have to worship in secret. I find local Churches quite distracting to pray in during the day, as even the Chapels reserved for quiet prayer often aren’t respected as such by visitors. In this particular Chapel, non-Catholics have to ignore the Marys etc., but there’s a lifesized Jesus which concentrates the mind and spirit.
When I asked the lady in the shop downstairs if the Chapel was open, she said it was, and – “Do you want to say a prayer?” She said she’s an Atheist, but she “really must go up there and say a prayer sometime.” I missed the opportunity to say I didn’t want to “say a prayer”, but to pray – to spend time with God. It reminded me of the opportunities there are for witnessing in everyday life, and of how many we miss. (She did come and “say a prayer”, then decided to rearrange the candles and statues of the Saints – so it wasn’t entirely quiet after all!) I was also reminded of the song that says “I often say my prayers, but do I really pray? And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say? I might as well kneel down and worship gods of stone, as offer to the living Lord a prayer of words alone.”
Former UKT
6 comments:
ver the last few years I have spent some considerable time in the chapel at our local hospital either alone or in ministry to families at poignant times. I have to acknowledge it is a peaceful place in the midst of a manic, busy, bustling place. To help calm and focus the mind there are two banners, one of a dandelion clock and the other is so nondescript that I can't remember what it is. There are candles but these are only lit during services due to health and safety regulations.
The first time I saw these banners I almost balked at what seemed political correctness gone mad. I linked dandelion clocks to picking them as a child and being told if I did I would wet the bed ... mmm ... so how was this to help me or anyone else for that matter, spiritually? They never have. However, I think the last time I went into the chapel I was alone as I waited to visit someone. There I found my mind wandering in many different directions and with nothing worth while in my opinion to focus on my mind remained over active as I waited. I struggled to pray and eventually found myself silently repeating the prayer : 'Lord, calm my heart and mind as I wait' God did, as I continued to look around me. A member of staff came in, a doctor I think. As he came in he took off his shoes. Walked behind a screen ... but I was in a perfect position to observe everything ... he knelt down ... lowered his head and bowed low to the floor ... he stayed there for a few moments ... lay prostrate ... and for about twenty minutes continued this and similar movements ... he looked and acted very sincere ... he looked as if he was genuinely communicating with his god even though what he was doing looked like some form of ritual. Eventually, as he turned to leave the chapel I observed his calm and peaceful presence and concluded that if I or a loved one needed surgery I would be happy for him, with that attitude, to perform it.
I respected and admired what I witnessed that day and wondered if I would really have the love and commitment to respond similarly if my faith required it, This man had nothing from what I could see but him and god and yet real communion. I was challenged and encouraged that day.
Former UKT
With no religious symbols to point to - no crosses, no colorful or elaborate stained glass windows, no holiness table in sight - an elderly man with a Jamacian accent preached The Great Commission (without notes) from Matthew's gospel to a crowded D train this morning.
We made eye contact for a brief moment or two. And just before this crowded train full of busy New Yorkers reached my stop, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up. The doors opened and I disembarked to continue on with my commute. It was the best half hour I ever spent on a New York City subway.
I'm certain every visitor to this site has been there, in need of a place for private prayer; led to seek a closer union with the Father through the Holy Spirit... but where ? Now !
The Spirit reminded me to ponder, why doesn't TSA provide dedicated a Spiritual oasis for the searching pilgrims in each corps?. In NYC the corps' doors were open long hours for community use. For five decades it was a haven for seamen from the world's seven seas needing a reminder of a "mother's" freshly baked cookies, and if wanted, a friendly word of encouragement; model hospitality.
A small room, meditative music, a Cross, a candle and appropriate reading material, including instructions on how to make immediate contact with the CO or the soldier servant on call...
Many Corps within the UK have a designated prayer room and my last appointment was no different. We had a large community programme running every day and the hall was open between 9.30 - 5.00 Monday - Friday every week.
I recall one lovely memorable occassion when a Jewish lady had found her way into TSA. Our CSM was the Community Manager at the time and when he was aware of the lady's presence he took great delight in showing her around our building, starting with the Senior Hall because this is where our call to ministry began. He took her on the guided tour and spoke of all we did, returning to the Senior Hall because this is where we constantly recharged our batteries. He talked of our faith, our beliefs and the things we have in common. He explained to her about the Mercy Seat our place of prayer and eventually asked her if she would like them to kneel there and pray together. The lady acknowledged that she would like this very much and so sensitively together they knelt to pray. Prior to all of this happening our CSM had just ordered his mid-morning snack and one of the young girls on "work experience" in the kitchen was preparing this.
She finished his breakfast, searched the building for her boss, eventually found him kneeling with the lady, opened the doors to the hall and called in a loud voice 'George, your bacon buttie is ready' ... :-)
Active UKT
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I'm just wondering why non-Catholics would need to "ingore the Marys, etc". The bible tells us that Mary is Jesus' mother. I'm sure Jesus wouldn't be happy about his mother being ignored. And, by the way, Catholics don't worship statues and symbols, and we don't worship Mary either.....but she does have a special place in our faith. And if it does seem at times that Catholics are worshiping Mary, I'm also sure Jesus would forgive us. It's his mother....without Mary there would be no Jesus!
Thank you Kent, for your comments… A few reflections from a Jesuit educated Salvationist (Fordham University MSc)
Many non-Catholics, and indeed some Catholics misunderstand the difference between worship and to venerate or honor Mary in prayer and song. They aren‘t the same thing. The Bible doesn’t say to honor Mary, However, in Luke’s gospel, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth said “Blessed are you among women” and Mary acknowledges this blessing by saying “all generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). Mary was uniquely blessed because she was entrusted with the honor of carrying God-in-human-form, Jesus Christ, in her womb. She alone was chosen for the highest honor in the history of the world.
Mary actually bore the Word. This puts her in a class by herself.
The Church teaches that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine and his two natures cannot be separated. If Mary gave birth to Jesus, she gave birth both parts of him, both the part which is human and the part which is God. Mary gave birth to a divine/human being, one who is completely man and also completely God. Perhaps we Salvationists ought to add, for clarification, Mary is the "Mother of God" in human form, chosen to be so by God the Father.
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