https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoRBAOY_yf4 Click on this link and you will see me interviewed about my latest novel, Book of Ruth: A Tale of Great Loves. )

This past week two sources introduced me to a new way to pray: a book by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser (Forgotten among the Lilies) and a TV broadcast by Dr. Charles Stanley (yes, he is a Southern Baptist pastor and evangelist, but his Sunday morning talks are often sound and inspiring). In all my years of religious life, I’ve never come across this advice for prayers of petition before. This is it:

When we are distressed, for example, by the illness of a loved one, the destruction of a natural calamity or when we are anxiously hoping for something, such as a good outcome at a job interview or a physical examination, we are likely to pray about the matter. As we pray, instead of focusing on our intention, our need, it is better to shift our thoughts to God . . . his omnipotence and his love.

This is difficult. Usually we are fixated on the object of our concern. This may only make us more depressed or deepen our anguish.

However, if we focus on God (his wisdom or his love for us) or some aspect of Jesus’ life (his power to cast our demons, his loving response to the Canaanite woman), we become free. Rolheiser likens this strategy to a wounded child who climbs onto its mother’s lap and is soothed by the mother’s presence and love. He suggests that we “climb into the lap of our great Mother God” to obtain peace. Taking our mind off our problem lessens our pain.

Dr. Stanley gave a personal example. Returning from a hike, he could not find his car keys. He searched the grounds in vain. No one was around to help him. His constant prayer was, “God, you are in charge.” Eventually he noticed that the keys were still in the ignition. Unfortunately, before leaving the car he always checked that all doors were locked. He continued his prayer, focusing on God, not his plight. When he tugged at a rear door of the car, it opened!

This way of praying is founded on the concept that, as the song says, God’s got the whole world in his hands. The almighty has the power to solve our problems if it is for our good and the good of others.

To be honest, I haven’t prayed this way yet in a major way. Yesterday though someone said something that upset me. Rather than dwelling on it and asking God to change the person’s mind, I thought about divine providence. For some reason God let that happen and I should forget it!

This way of praying seems challenging when we are in the midst of turmoil. Have you ever tried it?