Praying: The Practice of Sabbath
Brett Opalinski • June 18, 2021

A Sabbath poem from Mary Oliver:

Praying
It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

( Mary Oliver, Devotions )

 

5 Suggestions for practicing Sabbath:

 

  1. Sit in a room by yourself for fifteen minutes-no phones, no books. Be silent. Pray. When you become restless, sue the alphabet to name the people, circumstances, and blessings for which you are thankful (think big and small)
  2. Do something creative: weave, knit, paint, write, scrapbook, draw, make music, or color.
  3. Be silent in nature. Listen for God.
  4. Walk a path, trail, or labyrinth. Let the Spirit speak to you in ways that don't require words.
  5. Do laundry mindfully. Give God thanks for each article of clothing, for water, for electricity, and for modern machinery.

(suggestions from: J. Dana Trent, For Sabbath's Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community)

Together we are the hands and feet of Jesus,

Brett