The Conversation: at the river’s edge

A recent addition to my daily time in prayer has been a sort of conversational prayer with God arising from my reflection on Scripture and my life. After slowing down with a portion of Scripture, I often write out some of my own thoughts as a form of prayer in my journal. Then, I slow down and pause in silence for an undetermined amount of time, listening to God. Arising from that time of silence, I write out what I sense rising to the surface from God in prayer as a conversational response to my own prayer. What follows below is one example of that sort of prayer, that I call “The Conversation,” from the end of December 2024.

You may also catch another historic practice of Eastern Orthodox Christianity near the end known as “The Jesus Prayer.” This simple prayer practice has been life-changing for me in the past couple years, helping me return to God’s presence throughout my day in a simple, easily-repeatable form of prayer. I may write more about the Jesus Prayer in days to come, but thought I should at least acknowledge it here.

I sit along the river’s edge
and watch the current flow,
a flow marked by smooth areas,
rough currents, and mild ripples.
I sit and watch it
and feel it within me.
I wait and tell You, “I am tired
and feel burdened by it all—
the change, the grief, the questions.”
I talk to You and wait upon You.
I lay my weary body down
before You and ask for rest
and renewal and courage.

You say to me there:
“My beloved, take rest in Me.
Find peace in Me as you rest here.
Let your weariness wash away slowly
and let your tiredness sink you down
under the current of My loving Presence.
I AM here. That is enough.
I AM with you. That is sufficient.
Let your weary self be washed
in the current of My loving Presence.
Be still. Slow down. Find rest in Me.”

And I breathe in. Lord Jesus Christ.
And I breathe out. Son of God.
And I breathe in. Have mercy on me.
And I breathe out. Amen.
And I am here in You.
And You are here with me.