When unaware, these messages create in us false expectations and contrived needs. To quote the infamous Rev. Ike, it's a "You can't lose with the stuff I use!" approach. Well, we use their stuff! We use their deodorants, we try their razors, and we buy their perfumes -- but we do lose. Their products will never live up to their false expectations and our contrived needs. And we are just as noisy, busy, resentful, and depressed as ever.

It is in solitude and silence that we empty ourselves of false hopes and contrived needs and create a holy center where we find the perspective of the things that matter. But we are filled with this perspective only as we empty ourselves.

There is a story about a university professor who came to a Zen master to ask him about Zen. Nanin, the Zen master, served him tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. "It is over-full. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "You are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I teach you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"6

We must empty ourselves in solitude and silence of the things that don't matter so that He can fill us with the things that do! With this proper perspective, we are now able to arrange our lives according to a proper priority. The priority is that for us prayer will become a way of life.

III. Prayer is a Way of Life

When we have prayed properly and from solitude and silence procured a proper perspective, we are able to pursue His Priority of prayer as a way of life. The model prayer that Jesus gave to the disciples was not so much a prayer to be memorized but a way of life to be given priority. When this becomes a reality, and prayer becomes a way of life, we see through the eyes of prayer.

When we see through the eyes of prayer it influences our relationship to the world. All of creation is seen as a gift of God to be treasured and appreciated, never to be used or misused for selfish ends or desires. The world becomes our teacher. "The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork" (Psalm 19:1).

Did not Jesus use the mustard seed to show the greatness of faith? Did He not use the lilies to show the folly of worry? Were not the vine and branches object lessons in the need for prayer? When we see through the eyes of prayer, all of creation is seen as God's gift, teaching and directing us to Him.

When we see through the eyes of prayer it influences our relationship with time. We are all too busy. Crowded schedules and multi-marked calendars rob us of life's vitality. As one writer has said, "Hurry is not of the devil! It is the devil." From real prayer we gain the proper perspective to see time not as something to be endured or rushed through. Every moment becomes kairos time, a moment to be seized, an adventure to be lived, a meaning to be found, and a joy to behold. In prayer we slow down enough to enjoy!