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In the early years of motherhood, I found myself sitting in the back of the sanctuary during Sunday worship. Whether one child was throwing a fit or one needed to nurse, sitting in the back allowed us to be present for worship, but also far enough from others to not cause a scene.
Rocking in the rocking chair there, with a baby nestled against me, I watched the congregation: up and down in the pews, listening to the stories of God’s people, mothers coloring with children, fathers doling out snacks, teenagers fidgeting. All of it holy. All of it worship.
I learned in those early years of motherhood that this time in worship could all be prayer. I’d rock and pray. And the more I saw the people in front of me, the more prayers I had to offer. I may not remember the Bible stories or the sermon, but these prayers I remember.
However you’re praying, God hears you. God hears the whispers of your heart and the screams from your gut. Wherever you are and however you feel, look around and see God’s people inviting you to pray. For your life is a prayer.
This message is excerpted from “Rocking chair prayers” by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller in the May/June 2023 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Helena, mother of Constantine, c. 330.