[based on Psalm 130]

READINGS

 

FROM THE BIBLE
King James Version

Psalm 130

 ¹Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

 ²Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

 ³If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

 ⁴But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

 ⁵I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

 ⁶My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

 ⁷Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

 ⁸And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

 

 

Listen to the psalm:

FROM SWEDENBORG

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 529

And I beheld, and I heard one angel flying in the midst of heaven.- That this signifies the Lord enlightening all in the heavens concerning the state of the church at its end, is evident from the signification of seeing and hearing, as denoting to open the understanding to perceive, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of angel, as denoting the Lord; that angels in the Word mean the Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord, thus the Lord Himself, as to Divine Truth, may be seen above (n. 130, 200, 302); here the Lord, as to revealing what the quality of the church would be in the last times as to the reception of the Divine Truth; and from the signification of flying, as denoting to enlighten and impart understanding, concerning which also we shall speak presently; and from the signification of "in the midst of heaven," as denoting in the whole heaven, or all who are in the heavens. That in the midst signifies in the whole, and thus all, may be seen above (n. 213). It is evident therefore, that, "I beheld, and I heard an angel flying in the midst of heaven," signifies the enlightenment of all in the heavens concerning the state of the church at its end. Illustration concerning the state of the church is signified, because this is the subject treated of in what follows. The reason why seeing and hearing signify the opening of the understanding to perceive, is, that to see signifies to understand, and to hear signifies to perceive. That to see signifies to understand, may be seen above (n. 260); and that to hear signifies to perceive, may also be seen above (n. 14, 108).

 

I write this sermon in Seattle at our annual Swedenborgian  convention.  I have had a rich and meaningful week:  worshipping, learning, playing, and praying with a couple hundred fellow Swedenborgians.

 

I'd like to reflect with you on my experience of prayer within community.  A few weeks ago, I wrote a sermon about prayer from the perspective of St. Teresa of Avila. Her types of prayer are very moving  for me, and have guided me for years.

Yet, during this past week, my prayer experiences have been in community rather than in private.  Teresa writes about our personal relationship with God.  I also connect with the Divine through my faith community.

Community prayer is also very much on my mind because our steering committee for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org is preparing an exciting new program for ways we can experience prayer within our on-line community.

 

Teresa wrote statements that were quite bold for her time.  She noted that most prayer was "vocal" -- often spoken out loud in church.  In private, people often recited or read prayers; either out loud or in their heads.   The Psalms and scripture were used frequently for prayer.  Our scripture reading for today is Psalm 130; a deep and heartfelt prayer that has been read or recited for generations for prayer.  It is used both in corporate worship as well as in private, personal prayer.

Teresa introduced us to the idea of a prayer beyond words.  Prayer can grow out of simply being open to and living with God.  In my daily life, I love to experience prayer this way.



 

Prayers in Silent Retreat:

 

Community prayers can also be private and  personal  -- yet shared with others.  I'm reminded of retreats I have had at the Shalem Institute led by Tilden Edwards.  We have been guided into a period of silence -- usually for 2 or 3 days.  We are each deeply within our own relationship with God during this  time.  Yet we are also together.  We start with community devotions together as we enter our silence.  As silence begins, some of us go to the privacy of our rooms.  Some stroll through the grounds or use the art materials together.  Usually, I go to my room for awhile in complete privacy to find my connection with the Divine.  Then, after some deep personal prayer, I notice that it is time for a meal.  Quietly, I walk through the corridors to the cafeteria.  As I walk, I pass others.  We nod or smile.  At first, I am startled.  I have been immersed in private prayer, and now pass another person.  My heart warms as I feel the companionship and support of another person during this time of personal prayer.  I can pray alone AND with community simultaneously!
 
In everyday life, if I am praying while walking, and encounter another person, I speak with them; even if it disrupts my prayers.

Yet, here I need say nothing!  We are all in prayer; alone and together.  I can lower my eyes to the floor, and make no eye contact.  Or I can smile.  I can hug or hold hands.  We communicate through our eyes and the movement of our bodies.

In the cafeteria, the only sound is that of cutlery on plates.  I can eat with my eyes on my plate.  Or I can share with others through my eyes and face.

It is glorious!  I am deeply with God.  And I am in community with others who are deeply with God.  Each person there is helping to support my prayer time, and I am supporting theirs.

This is, for me, a way I can experience private prayer with community.


 

This week, I have encountered a rich variety of prayers. We have recited prayers together in worship.  We have sung prayers and danced them.  We have prayed together to consecrate the communion elements.  We prayed to bless the ordination of two new ministers. We have prayed as a community for individuals -- both within and outside the community.  We have prayed as  community for the community and for the world.  There have been times of silence to find the prayer-beyond-words in my heart.

 

Let us pray.  "Dear God, please guide our path as we open our hearts to prayer with you."

CLOSING SONG
Let's Go Down to the River to Pray

 

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