Technology and spirituality have a paradoxical relationship. We use technology, for example, in order to be more efficient and productive; but efficiency and productivity are not major concerns of most spiritualities. The desire to achieve control, to be successful, and to maintain security will frustrate any attempt to grow into the image of God through Jesus Christ.
Gerald May has written, "Love cannot be a means to any end. Love does not promise success, power, achievement, health, recovery, satisfaction, peace of mind, fulfillment, or any other prize. Love is an end in itself, a beginning in itself. Love exists only for love." The Awakened Heart
On the other hand, technology can open new avenues for spiritual growth. Some obvious examples - - some people prefer receiving the daily Upper Room devotion as an e-mail. Skillful worship leaders can use an appropriate film clip at the right time to reinforce or clarify a worship theme. There are collections of prayers, concordances and searchable Bibles on line, as well as hymns and sacred music. A computer makes available a breadth and depth of important spiritual resources which most likely would be inaccessible otherwise.
Sacred Space, maintained by Jesuits in Ireland, provides a daily prayer office full of silence, attentiveness to God, and insights into the faithful life. With on-line guidance, the prayer takes about 10 minutes. There is also a printer-friendly version available.
The opening prayer for today, March 12, is a brief one: "Lord, help me to be fully alive to your holy presence. Enfold me in your love. Let my heart become one with yours." The second prayer today is a thanksgiving for freedom.
As you move to the third section you find some thoughts for reflection. Today the question is asked, "Where do I sense hope, encouragement, and growth areas in my life? By looking back over the last few few months, I may be able to see which activities and occasions have produced rich fruit. If I do notice such areas, I will determine to give them both time and space in the future."
The Scripture selection today is Luke 16: 19-31, the story of a very poor Lazarus and a very rich Pharisee. The is an option to click on a page which has interpretative and inspirational material.
The Scripture is followed by an opportunity for intimate comversation with Jesus, "saying whatever is on my mind, what is in my heart, speaking as one friend to another." Each day's prayer ends with "Glory be to the Father . . . ."
What are some of the positives about using an on-line prayer such as Sacred Space?
1. It provides a uniform way of praying daily, while offering different prayers, Scriptures, and reflection questions every day.
2. You can move through the prayer at your own speed and add personal prayer requests as you choose.
3. While there are several ways of choosing daily scriptures, it is helpful to have well-prepared reflection questions to probe or challenge us in different ways.
4. You may be alone in front of a computer, but an average 661 people prayed with Sacred Space each hour during February, 2009.
5. There is a companion site called Living Space which provides commentary on the daily Scripture readings. You can register for a monthly Newsletter of Sacred Space; and, finally, you can send Sacred Space e-cards to persons who need encouragement.
I highly recommend Sacred Space. It should not become a substitute for your established time of prayer and worship, but it can enrich your experience of the presence of God on a daily or an occasional basis.
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