Prayer as a Liminal Space --
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to model how a relational study is done and provide questions relating text to the FAW theme for individual or group use. |
Using the same Bible story for a year has been interesting and instructive! Along the way I have been reading Everything Belongs, The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr. He has introduced me to the concept of liminality, a Latin word that means threshold. Liminal space induces a type of inner crisis to help us make a needed transition. "Liminality is a special psychic and spiritual place where all transformation happens. It is when we are betwixt and between and therefore by definition not in control." Nothing new happens as long as we are inside our self constructed comfort zone. Liminoid space is the space we create that feels safe and familiar. In my case a health crisis forced me into liminal space to find a new way to pray for healing.
Enter the story
Read Mark 10:17-27 once again in your favorite translation. What caught your attention? Now read the story slowly and out loud. Do you hear some different words? For me I stopped on the question, "Why do you call me good?" What could Jesus have meant? I am propelled into a liminal space as I begin to reflect on this encounter with Jesus. I read the story again, this time it seemed different.
Reflect
To reflect on a Bible story is to come with our questions. They take us out of our comfort zone, out of the familiar interpretation. Rohr says much of the work of the God of the Bible is to get people to liminal space and to keep them there long enough so they can learn something essential. Does Jesus ask "Why do you call me good?" to move the man to another level? He seems much more comfortable in the area of the familiar rules and commandments. What do you think was the man's motive in calling Jesus good? What can we conclude about his agenda with Jesus?
Connect
I began to connect with this story when I realized that one of the ways I stay in my comfort zone is to think about my own goodness and how hard I try. Surely this counts with God! What must I do to inherit eternal life? My prayers must be sincere and include adoration, thanksgiving and confession before I ask for help! Nothing simple about that.
At a recent conference John Dominic Crossan asked, "What is the character of your God?" The question challenged me! It makes all the difference in the way you pray. Rohr helps again here. "When we see God's character as unconditional love our self-conscious preoccupation with doing right melts away. We forget self. God alone is good!" My watching and judging doesn't change what is, but often becomes a concern with watching and judging itself. Prayer is not self-observation but "falling into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). Liminal space!
Nevada Barr says, "As long as I thought of God as a cross between Superman and Santa Claus with cell phone and myself as a lobbyist for my own needs, I was doomed to atheism, confusion and resentment.... The sea change has been in my internal vision of God." What is the character of your God? What are the qualities of your conversations?
Application
The action that resulted from my time in liminal space was a struggle to learn to meet God in silent meditation. Thinking of my body filled with light and love. Simply being and believing God is within and without. This is the way I pray for others now as well. To open myself as much as I can means really letting go of all preconceived ideas. Is this giving my all?
Advent can be a time of moving ourselves out of the cultural busyness of Christmas and into the liminal space of quiet. As Barr says, "In noise and interaction there may be connection in the most rudimentary sense of the word but there is no relationship. To truly relate - to self, to others, to the God of our understanding - there must first be stillness. Even prayer is often just a continuation of the endless monologue in my skull, a rehearsing of my needs, hopes expectations; not so much a relationship with the divine." Sometimes when I walk away sorrowful from my prayer time. I have brought too much baggage with me. My monkey mind jumps from concern to concern. A Good God waits. When I can get still and rest in that good news I am restored. How do you simply pray? How will you pray this Advent?
Nancy Boyle is a workshop leader, teacher and Christian Education Consultant living in Columbia SC.