December Cycling and Prayer Closets

This workweek had been very intense and long-houred.  So when I got to take the day off today, I headed out on my bike for some alone/quiet time.  And the back roads of Concord, Acton, and Carlisle are perfect for that.  

It’s beautiful riding at this time of year.  The air is crisp, the sun is that stark December light, the trees minus their foliage provide unseen views.  But more than anything, there’s a stillness.

It was the perfect time to get quiet, to sort things out, to listen to “the still small voice…” within—to pray.  It’s a wonderfully calming and peaceful experience even while pedaling along.

I’ve found—and perhaps you have too—that prayer doesn’t need to take place in any formal setting such as a church, temple, or mosque.  Jesus recommended that prayer take place in solitude—in a metaphorical “closet.”  And that closet—our thought—can be anywhere at anytime. 

In this increasingly hectic society that we find ourselves in, with the huge demands on our time coming at us from every direction, it’s helpful to take even a few minutes to retire into our “closet”—to allow ourselves to feel the spiritual peace, calm, and inspiration that comes from doing so.  And the effects of those moments can radiate outward to every aspect of our lives—including our health.

In a 2010 Mayo Clinic article (“Spirituality and stress relief: Make the connection”) while referring to leading a healthier life, the authors stated:

People who consider themselves spiritual appear to be better able to cope with stress and heal from illness or addiction faster.

So why not take a few moments to still your own thinking and listen?  Step into that prayer closet.  You may be amazed at the results. 

I’m glad I did.