I remember back in seminary reading Eugene Peterson’s book, Five Smooth Stones For Pastoral Work. In it, he drew analogies between sex and prayer. There was much controversy and ridicule on campus. I remember how silly several people thought it was. Here’s one quote:
Because of the common origin of our creation and redemption, an examination of our sex life leads to an examination of our prayer life and vice versa.
I have come to agree with him. In fact, I often can’t help comparing our relationship with God to marriage. If sex is communion with the one we love, then, says Peterson, prayer is communion with the God we love. I have come to discover that close examination of our sex life does reveal a great deal about how we relate to God.
The photo is from Mark Hemmings’ New York City Street photos.
My name is David Hayward, and I am the nakedpastor. I am a graffiti artist on the walls of religion.
interesting thought.
Your comments mirror thoughts which have circled in and out of my consciousness for a long time. In my own observations of people, those who view sex as a duty tend to view service to God as a duty. Those who have few boundaries around their sexual behavior seem to jump in and out of religious organizations just as quickly as they hop in and out of liaisons. Those who view sex as more than a bodily experience–as a melding of two bodies, souls, and spirits–seem to me to be always on a spiritual quest for more of God. It’s really a fascinating topic to ponder. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the quote from Peterson.
Okay – I’d really like it if you would explain this idea a little more! I can’t quite grasp the idea… I think the church, and society in general, are pretty messed up on the topic – either thinking it’s bad, or frivolous, or generally being uninformed on the topic! Anyways, you’ve caught my attention with this topic…
Tina: I think ttm has shed a little more light on it. Let’s see who has has something to say before I step in again. Thanks for your comments and questions.
Hmmm…Paul talks about the mystery of the unity in marriage where the two become one. He says it’s a picture of Christ and his church.
This is a HUGE topic. Add to that that we are all the Bride of Christ and the consummation of this age is a wedding party, well, it’s enough to make a Baptist blush.
Rob Bell has a new book coming out. I think it’s called GodSex and it’s all about this very topic.
And I don’t work for Rob, know Rob or get paid by Zondervan for mentioning that. (but I’m open to it Zondervan…)
This, for me personally, has very disturbing implications.
whoa………..now thats a thing I havent thought about………
what about singles who have never experienced the type of sex you are talking about?
singles are an often forgotten minority in the church
A single person, virgin or otherwise, can have a beautiful attitude towards sex. That attitude probably does indeed reflect how they relate to God.
Wow!!! You mean to tell me that there are less than 12 of us that are wondering about sex and prayer, or prayer and sex? Almost 3 years have gone by and this is all that has been generated? Anyway, I believe that prayers before during and after are fine. Why not? We pray, or at least I pray throughout the day no matter what it is that I am doing. Prayer and sex is sort of like when I played baseball and as I stepped up to the plate, I made the Sign of The Cross and a brief prayer for a hit………… Time to get this topic moving again!