Vibrating atoms, the earth turning on its axis, earth’s circling the sun, moon circling earth. Landscapes changing with the seasons, shadow moving over a sun dial. Sand falling through an hourglass, pendulums swinging. It is fascinating that all these events and many more can be used to measure the passing of time. They are all using things that happen in the physical, material universe. The passage of time, as we perceive it, can only be measured by something that happens. The Ancient Greeks called this ’chronos’ time.

Yet there is a poignancy to the passing of time perceived in this way. A sense of something that was but is no more. A hard to define feeling of missed opportunities. It is relentless. As the hymnwriter Issac Watts said time is ”like an ever-rolling stream”. For all of us it is finite and is a constant reminder of our own limitations and mortality.

The Greeks also had another word for time. They called it ’kairos’. The word contains the idea of the appropriate or critical time. In the Greek New Testament the same word is used to speak of events that are right, that are opportune. In accord with the plans and purposes of God. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus were all prophesied and came to pass in the ’fulness’ of time.

”When a little boy offered Christ five loaves and two fishes, he multiplied them miraculously. He does the same with our time, but only if we offer it to him in prayer. This is literally miraculous, yet I know it happens from repeated experience… every time I offer some time-loaves and life-fishes to Christ, he miraculously multiplies them and I share his conquest of time.”

Peter Kreeft, essay on ‘Time’,     peterkreeft.com

This quote speaks eloquently of the relationship between time and prayer. Prayer is the antidote to a harried and busy life. The path to peace and poise lies in ‘giving time’ in the presence of our maker. As Kreeft implies time spent with God does not lead to a less productive life. Instead there are an abundance of moments characterised by peace and fulfilment. Time to live in harmony with God’s rhythms and things that matter get done.. Experiencing, as the apostle Paul says, God’s ’good, acceptable and perfect’ will (Romans 12 verse 2b). 

I have found this multiplied sense of blessing to be true in my experience and have also observed it in the lives of others. It seems to me the people who accomplish worthwhile things have also prayed. Prayer is like a root from which right action springs. Yet the above quote also convicts me of the many times I do not believe this. Instead relegating prayer as something to do when I have ’spare’ time? Yet time spent praying opens the door to more ’kairos’ time. It seems like a paradox. Yet it is the reality of the kingdom of God which Jesus spoke of. 

I think back to a period when my home was on board the ship MV Logos. I’ve written several blogs about life on this vessel owned by Operation Mobilisation, an international Christian organisation. Each Thursday night as a ship’s company we had a communal time of prayer. From about 7pm, whether at sea or in port, we would pray and worship together. Thanking God and praying for the spiritual and practical needs of others. For ourselves, for countries, for rulers. People were free to leave at any time. Often the meeting would continue into the night and sometimes till daylight.

Afterwards as a new day dawned I believed there was a need to make up for a lost night’s sleep. Invest time in prayer and you need to make up for it. I could be tired and irritable and problems and circumstances remain unchanged. Life, in and of itself, did not become easier. Yet often the world felt different. It seemed more alive, vibrant, even lighter. As if a new, deeper reality and a new perspective emerged. A quote from the 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich, comes to mind…

”All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”

It is not how long we pray or even whether we pray that determines God’s goodness to us or others. He is no man’s debtor. Yet in the call to prayer a door opens between time and eternity.

*** By Elisabeth Grant ( https://elisabethgrantart.com )

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