Life is swarmed by our senses. Live in a city like Chicago — there is the constant honking, the sound of the “L” swishing by, the loud conversations on the CTA or Metra. Walk through the various neighborhoods and the smells of rich cuisine massage the senses in a way that becomes almost irresistible. The sights of various 19th century architecture are pleasantly interrupted by the unexpected eagle flying through, looking for directions out of the Loop.
The swarm is swift. Relentless. And day-by-day this swarm quite often leads us to believe that all this is actually real. And it is those senses that lead us to change our clothes because we feel the coolness of the night air. It is those senses that direct us away from the less lighted places to the more lighted places. These senses are strong, swift, and uncompromising.
Here, amid the swirling and the wonder and intoxication, there is another reality — largely unseen. We walk by the Sears Tower and see lights ablaze on the 87th floor. We see the light — but have no idea what it means. The light is there … but we cannot see. It is the light that reveals the possibility of the unseen — on that floor.
Likewise, there is the unseen revealed by the Light. And it is here, at this liminal intersection of light and the unseen; that prayer enters. For it is prayer that actualizes our entrance into that unseen. For prayer, at the very least, brings us into the unseen. And because it is unseen, it is in many ways unknown. And yet, we are invited into that unseen, unknown place. For it is prayer that brings us into the presence of the King. And because of this gift He gives, we can enter that unseen and unknown while riding an Uber, eating at a restaurant, or welcoming the existence of these United States of America.
We can welcome 250 years of a nation predicted by prophecy while also remembering that what we see and know about this nation, with all her warts, compares little to the reality of an unseen kingdom existing for the ceaseless ages. And it is prayer providing us the opportunity to enter constantly into that unseen kingdom and never forgetting the Founder and Maker of that kingdom. Asphalt, concrete and iron can’t hold a match to what material comprises that kingdom!
Prayer invites us into constant communion with that kingdom. Prayer reminds us of our deeper attachments. Prayer buffers our senses against the relentless pulsation of our senses. Prayer anchors our deeper desires to the Eternal. And yes, it must be said: while we remember 250 years of the flawed history of this nation, those years are truly a drop in the ocean when put up against the ceaseless ages of the King’s kingdom and His material. Prayer digs us into that unseen reality — where light is seen and increasingly understood, both in this life and the life to come.
John Grys serves as the Illinois Conference president.