Garden Prayer

There are two chapters of Richard J. Foster's "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" that seem especially relevant to Lenten practices. The first he titles 'The Prayer of Relinquishment', which expresses the desire that our own will be replaced by God's will.

Right out of the gate, it needs to be recognized that the desire expressed is not easily satisfied. In fact, letting go of one's own will is so difficult, the Prayer of Relinquishment never becomes easy and must be regularly revisited. It seems possible that many, even most, of those adopting a Lenten practice of prayer, have notions in mind that vaguely resemble the Prayer of Relinquishment in tone and in outcome, without a notion of the effort involved. It is far more than simply carving out enough time to listen carefully to God.

Still, relinquishment summarizes the Lenten spirit well. The preoccupations of modern life are to be released, and God is to sweep away those that do not serve his purposes, leaving life simpler, more focused, and not necessarily happier, but more joyful. God's way, God's plan for our life is rightfully seen as better for us, harder in some ways, perhaps, but ultimately what we were made to experience. Why would anyone wish it any other way?

Well, it's just not that simple. Surrendering one's own will is so completely counter to the secular approach to success, that we have almost no earthly reason to seriously consider it. The world around us quite often confuses will with soul, so to relinquish one's will feels like being set completely adrift, like severing the umbilical cord to Mother Earth and floating helpless into space. In the secular space, it is the existential equivalent to suicide. So to give up one's will voluntarily is unconscionable. To be sure, there are enough people in this world who are forced to do things against their will. And there are more than enough people who have dependency or identity issues that permit others to trample on their self-will. But what would lead a healthy person to relinquish their self-determination without coercion?

In a phrase, the quest to be in God's presence. This is what is recognized when prayer is adopted as a Lenten practice. This is what is promised by the very concept of being in conversation with the Almighty. This is the image of being wrapped in the warmth of His love that all Christians desire. This is the aspiration of all who attempt to be like Christ. And especially at Lent, this is the story believers long to join. To be in the Garden, one with our Lord and God, so in tune with His desires that they become our own. But...

But there is a price. A price almost unbearable. So nearly unbearable that it will wash away our selfishness. It will wash away our separateness, our going our own way, our independence, our sin. Releasing these things will be like life's blood is being drawn away. And half alive, the words "Thy will be done" will come pouring out. This is the truth of Gethsemane. This is the Prayer of Relinquishment.

May God guide you to Garden prayer, where you say "Not my will, but Yours."