Clinical Pastoral Education and Prayer
Art Rasch, Hospice Chaplain
Education (CPE) and prayer fit
together. Prayer, for me, has often meant my “out” to God. In my prayers, I
“longed to be with God.” But within our CPE group this past year I’ve felt a
deeper presence of “God longing to be with me.” Both, of course, are true.
But in my own prayers, the first can become preoccupied with what I do for
God, while the second opens me to God’s
gracious love: what God is doing for me.
I spoke about both in a poem I wrote toward the end of our
CPE unit. My poem “snaps pictures” of where I have been and
where I am now. As you read it, do you see a picture of yourself?
I touched God today.
I told him what I need.
I felt better for my prayer,
How he should help me.
God touched me today.
He told me of his love.
I felt better in his presence,
How he embraced me.
