Friends and Neighbors, 

We do so many things as a faith community. St. James offers numerous opportunities for individuals to participate in prayer, study, and service. Many of us readily jump into active things. We like a project that we can start and see the result. There are things like that in living the faithful life. It is sometimes harder to slow down and be still. In this busy season of the year, I want to remind you to pause, pray, and listen. 

Our Book of Common Prayer gives us many ways to pray beyond Sunday morning. There is the Daily Office and Devotions for Individuals and Families. You can experience Evening Prayer in person here at St. James every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 PM. I must admit that I often use an app on my phone to pray Morning Prayer and Compline. I enjoy the free app from Forward Movement. You can just go to their website by clicking here. You will find the daily readings all in one place, with prayers for the feast days of saints. Once you try it, you will see that it really doesn't take that much time. 

We only have so much time, and it is important to take time to pray. Prayer reminds us of our call to faithfully follow Christ. It guides in ancient forms of prayer that we share with believers around the globe and across time. We don't always see the results. Sometimes prayer just seems boring, and I don't feel the presence of God or any good feeling. I do find that even those days remind me of my connection to this faith that is beyond me and includes me. My prayer changes the experience of going about my day, trying to love God and to love my neighbor as myself.

Thank you for all the ways that you are active in the ministries of St. James. High five for all the ways you serve the community beyond St. James. In all of that activity, pause to pray. I have highlighted the forms from The Book of Common Prayer, but there are other forms. Perhaps you take a deep breath and offer thanks or name your concerns. Maybe you meditate for an hour. I encourage you to develop a practice that is an intentional check-in with God. May that practice ground you as you go about your day. 

Peace, 

Fr. John Mark