Living Prayer

When I realized that all is prayer,

it changed everything,

or at least it changes everything

on those occasions –

more rare than I would like to admit –

when the prayerfulness

of each present moment does not elude me.

Those careless or caring words

with people who are committed,

by genetics or betrothal,

to spend a lifetime with us?

Prayer.

That erupting criticism or praise
of people whose livelihoods 
are purposefully tied to us,

by shared employment or economic interaction?

Prayer.

Those words never spoken,

because they’re never thought,

about the invisible ones

we walk and live right past each day?

Prayer.

That post you shared,

whether or not you envisioned

those with whom it would resonate

or those whose rage it might ignite?

Prayer.

That wishing, both backward and forward,

past regrets and future hopes,

sometimes wholly selfishness

and others, holy selflessness?

Prayer.

Never imagine, then,

that you didn't have/make time for it,

that you didn't do enough of it.

Just try to pay attention to how

you’re constantly doing it.

Prayer.

Photo by Todd Jenkins

© 2013 Todd Jenkins