I never used to pray. As someone who doesn’t believe in a capital G God, I didn’t see the point in talking to something that couldn’t talk back, or that I even knew was there. But a few years ago, my friend was having a really hard time, and I thought I would try praying for her. There was nothing I could do to make the situation better, but I could send her my love and put my concerns into the world. So I tried praying, and I felt so enveloped in love. I felt like something out there heard my concerns and worries, and cradled them.
When I received my chaplain training, I learned that a lot of chaplaincy is listening. People like to feel heard. And that is what praying does-praying allows people to feel that their concerns are heard by the only thing in the universe that can truly make a difference.
For me, praying is something I don’t do very often. I pray when there is nothing I can do about the situation, and I want to feel as though I have handed off my concerns to a higher power. I pray to have hope.
Best of wishes,
Artie Evans