Prayer Without Words

Is it possible to pray without using words?? I think so. I think any time we engage in an activity that reflects the image of God in us we pray. Creating, caring, singing, loving all those activities and many others are forms of prayer. Augustine said that "he who sings prays twice".

Today I prayed a long time. This morning on my walk I cried out to God and wrestled with some serious faith issues. I've been praying for 12 years for healing for my son. His disability is a heavy burden for him and our whole family. It difficult, it's exhausting and the future could hold some more very, very serious isssues. Does God hear? How can this possibly be something God would allow, even ordain. Will there ever be healing, relief in this life or must we wait for our bliss on the other side of the veil. Am I just whining, surley there are others who suffer worse. Do I have the faith to trust God? Will God only give me grace to carry on or will he graciously heal my son. How can this trial conform me to the image of Jesus Christ...it seems to only make me doubt, get angry, frustrated and exhausted. So many questions and wrestlings. If it weren't for the story of the widow and the unrighteous judge I would have given up praying for this long ago. But we are commanded to continue to pray. Ask, seek knock. I'm currently using a battering ram on the gates of heaven.

Those were my prayers with words. Then I spent the afternoon praying without words. I went out to the beach and painted. Yes, I'm an artist. Driving to the beach I was admiring the new spring growth on the trees, and for a moment the sun flickered over the tree tops and there was a flash of a feeling inside me as if everything in the whole universe were right. I know that was God feeding my soul and binding up my wounds. For the next four hours I prayed by painting, and I came home with hope.