Why do I pray when I tie a pray rope?

In a way, this is a sneak peek into the next segment of our Eternal Ascent posts. However, I think it’s important to take a short moment to explain the process behind the prayer rope.

For me, its three fold:

• I invite an attitude of prayer into my work to help myself focus mentally, physically, and spiritually on the task. This is especially important when distraction and frustration try to take me out of my work.

• I also pray, bearing in mind and heart, that all the elements of the work, (the materials, the prayer, and the process), culminate in a devotional action fixed on the Heart of God.

• Finally, I pray for you. I chant the Jesus Prayer over every single knot for you as I work, so that it may be for a bridge between heaven and earth, and a sign of comfort and a remembrance of the love and closeness of God in your own prayer.

Tying, praying, focusing, organizing…it took a lot of practice. It still takes practice. It’s a kind of habit that needed time and space to grow. And that’s what we’ll be discussing next time. I’m looking forward to it!