Spiritualiteit:. Mistiek 2: Mistiek en gebed / mysticsim 2 Mysticism and prayer

Biddende verlange

‘n Mens hoef nie woorde te sê om te bid nie. Jy kan stil wees en nog steeds bid. Die verlange van jou hart na God is al ‘n gebed. In die verlange reik die hart uit na God. In die verlange praat die diepe begeerte na God. Augustinus het geskryf dat die verlange `n gebed is – al swyg die mens. As jy verlang, bid jy.

God reageer op die mens wat biddend verlang na God. God hoor die mens, dikwels lank voor ‘n woord gesê word en soek die mens op. God word nie deur die regte getal woorde of die mooi kwaliteit van klanke beweeg nie. In die spreke van die mens, selfs sonder die praat van die gebed, nader God haastig die mens. God sien die hande wat uitreik in afhanklikheid, die oë wat toegemaak is in afwagting, die hart wat klop in die behoefte aan die dieper en groter ontmoeting.

Gebed as biddende verlange en God se mistieke aanraking is diep verweef met mekaar. Die twee hoort bymekaar. Dit is soos `n eier en sy dop, soos die reënboog teen die hemel.

Die Heilige Gees tree vir my in met onuitspreeklike sugtinge. Die versugting in my is na U, na U koms, na U inwoning. Die verlange wat in my roer, is na U, na U teenwoordigheid, na U aanraking. Die begeerte in my roep na U, na U salwing, na u vrede. Terwyl ek soek na woorde, rondtas na die regte taal, wonder oor die goeie uitdrukkings, roep my hart aanhoudend na U. Kom heel my, kom hoed my, kom hou my vas, o God.

Prayerful longing

You do not need words to pray. One can pray without speaking a single word. The longing of the heart itself is prayer. In longing, the heart reaches out to God. In longing, there is a deep yearning for God. Augustine wrote that longing is prayer – even if one is silent. In longing, one prays.

God responds to the one who longingly prays to God. God often answers long before a single word is spoken and rushes to meet the one who prays. God is not moved until enough words are uttered or beautiful words convinces. In praying, even without saying a word, God hastens to meet the one who prays. God sees the hands reaching out, notices the eyes that are closed in anticipation, feels the heart that pulses in the need for the deeper and greater encounter.

Prayer as longing and the mystical touch of God are intricately connected. The two belong together. It is like an egg and its shell, as a rainbow that hangs in the sky.

Oh God, the longing in me, is for You, for your coming to me, your being in me. The longing that fills me, is for your presence, for your touch. I long for you, for your peace, for your healing. My longing heart is there for you to touch. Lord, touch me, be with me, embrace me, let me be with You, now and forever more.

This series on mysticism represents a free interpretation of Kees Waajman's article on Mystical Experience and the Mystical Way, in Encyclopedie van de Mystiek (2003)