My husband just returned from a trip out west. In Seattle, Washington, he boarded an airplane after 6 a.m. and was in Albany, New York before 6 p.m. Seattle clock time was 3 p.m.

A nine hour trip that took him 3,000 miles. Doug went from sixty degrees Fahrenheit to one degree. From flowering rhododendrons to shimmering frosty trees and three feet of snow on the ground. Kinda funny.

Two hundred years ago, this reality was unexperienced.

Today, people take travel excursions regularly and know to take a winter coat to wear over their shorts and t-shirt when they arrive at their destination.

When we are praying, take this disparity into account. Too often our prayers don’t work, or wander around aimlessly, because we are trying to repeat a prayer that was experienced yesterday. We are only taking into account what the physical senses say now.

Prayer is to experience the glorious ever-expressing God. Prayer is to be prepared for a God expressing more gloriousness, more life, more love, more truth.

I think the Buddhists glimpse the importance of “being quiet” in order to stop the interrupting human mind trying to direct our prayers. “A coat will only make you sweat,” says the human mind.

The Science, or knowledge of Christ, Love is directing our prayers and revealing the newness and beauty and balance we need today. It’s our right to experience the new.