Praying in Nature
Nature created by God is the very place where we should pray.
Kenderick B. Kellogg1
Stone Church & Kanzo Uchimura
On the morning of December 26th, we marched through the snow to visit Stone Church. This magnificent example of organic architecture is also known as the Hoshino Wedding Chapel. We prayed and felt God’s presence in the beautiful sanctuary. In the basement of Stone Church there is a memorial hall dedicated to the life of Kanzo Uchimura (1861-1930), one of Japan’s most prominent Christians2. Nature played an important role in the expression of his faith. He saw the beauty of nature as part of God’s creation. This is seen in his theological writings. In one of his Bibles, Uchimura wrote “There are Three Witnesses to the Truth…nature, man and the Bible.”3 The role of nature in discovering the truth is highlighted in Romans 1:20, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (NLT).
People Praying in Nature
Kenderick B. Kellogg, a US-based architect and innovator of organic architecture, designed Stone Church in 1988. Like Uchimura, Kellogg also saw the beauty of nature as part of God’s creation. He was deeply inspired by the beautiful nature of Karuizawa. So he created Stone Church based on the concept that “Nature created by God is the very place where we should pray.”4 Of course, as Christians, we can pray anywhere, but it’s interesting to note that Jesus often prayed in nature. For example:
a solitary place (Mark 1:35) KJV
a lonely place (NIV) or wilderness (Luke 5: 15-16) KJV
a mountain (Luke 6:12) KJV
the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36) NASB
Inspiration from God’s Creation
How about us? How often do we pray, praise or worship God in nature? British missionary Stuart K. Hine was inspired to praise and worship God in the mountains. “He was inspired to write his 1949 English translation known as “How Great Thou Art” while on an evangelistic mission to the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine”5. Consider Hine’s paraphrase of the second verse of this great hymn:
“When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My saviour God, to Thee,
How great thou art, How great thou art”6
The late Rich Mullins, a popular Christian musician, also believed it was important to pray to and worship God in nature. In his Christian faith and music, Mullins often intertwined God and nature. He believed that God speaks to and touches us through His creation. His songs “Awesome God,” “The Color Green” and “Calling Out Your Name” are excellent examples of how Mullins saw God speaking through nature.7
The Benefits of Praying in Nature
Praying in nature is an ideal way to achieve spiritual refreshment. Whether we are on home assignment, ministering in Japan or ministering elsewhere, praying to God in nature is a valuable spiritual discipline to cultivate. It can draw us fully into communion with God. It also gives us a golden opportunity to take time out of our busy schedules and recharge spiritually.
Examples & Results of Praying in Nature
Japan is a country of rich, stunning nature. Even in the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka there are many lovely parks to enjoy. One way to escape the busyness of life and enjoy God’s creation is to do a farm stay on an organic farm through WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)8. Many countries have national WWOOF groups. I have enjoyed several WWOOF farm stays in Japan and was spiritually refreshed by them. A farm stay is also an ideal opportunity to meet seekers of the Christian faith. A few years ago at a farm in rural Wakayama where a Japanese friend and I stayed, one farm staff member in her twenties asked us for a Japanese Bible. We gladly gave her one, answered her questions about the Christian faith and prayed with her.
Conclusion
May we be inspired by God’s beautiful creation like Kanzo Uchimura, Kenderick Kellogg, Stuart Hine, and Rich Mullins were. May it inspire us to spend time praying in nature, recharge spiritually, and help us in our evangelistic endeavours to reach the Japanese with the Good News.
1. http://www.kendrickbangskellogg.com/
2. Daniel Ellrick, missionary to Japan, referred to Uchimura in his article about the influence of Confucianism on Japanese culture in the Autumn 2014/Winter 2015 of Japan Harvest
3. La Fay, Michelle, “Uchimura Kanzo’s Use of Japanese Thoughts and Ideas in his Faith.” Journal of the Graduate School of Letters, Vol. 3, p.82. (Hokkaido University, 2008), Web. Accessed February 27, 2015, http://www.academia.edu/1089794/Uchimura_Kanzos_Use_of_Japanese_Thoughts_and_Ideas_in_his_Faith.
4. “Welcome to Hoshino Area” Bilingual Tourist Brochure, p.2 (no date).
5. “How Great Thou Art,” accessed December 29, 2014, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Great_Thou_Art_(hymn).
6. Stuart K. Hine, “How Great Thou Art” (No. 4) in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration (Word Music, 1986).
7. “Rich Mullins,” accessed March 15th, 2015 http//richmullinspiritually.blogspot.jp/2011/03/god-became-microscopic.html
8. WWOOF Japan, accessed February 28, 2015, http://www.wwoofjapan.com
Photo by Flickr user Jofre Ferrer; Creative Commons