This, from “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” by James Martin JS resonates with me. Perhaps it will with you. Martin is discussing Walter Burghardt’s definition of prayer: ‘a long, loving look at the real.’ I’m quoting from page 114.
“Prayer is ‘long,’ said Burghardt, because it is done in a quiet, unhurried way. ‘Loving’ because it happens in a context of love. Prayer is a ‘look’ because it has to be being aware. ‘I do not analyze or argue it, define or describe it,’ wrote Burghardt. ‘I am one with it.’ Finally, prayer is ‘real’ because our spiritual life is primarily about what happened in our daily life.”
“Prayer is ‘long,’ said Burghardt, because it is done in a quiet, unhurried way. ‘Loving’ because it happens in a context of love. Prayer is a ‘look’ because it has to be being aware. ‘I do not analyze or argue it, define or describe it,’ wrote Burghardt. ‘I am one with it.’ Finally, prayer is ‘real’ because our spiritual life is primarily about what happened in our daily life.”
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