During Lent I will be exploring six basic practices of the Christian faith. These practices are indeed basic, one might say, fundamental to the Christian life. Lent is a good time to review the basics of Christian living and the whys and the hows of what we do and believe. Today I’ll be looking at prayer.
Prayer is almost a universal language in the human race. Even those who do not profess to believe in any particular religion or spiritual system often pray. Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life because it is in prayer that we are able to develop our relationship with God. Prayer has often been described as conversation between God and humanity (sadly, many of us do most of the talking, giving God no room to say anything!).
Prayer is more than speaking or thinking thoughts directed to God, however. The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer defines prayer in this way, “Prayer is responding to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words.” I remember the first time I read this definition I was struck by two things. First, that prayer is always a response to God. We sometimes think we are the ones initiating prayers, starting the conversation, sending the spiritual e-mail if you will, yet, in fact, God is the one who is always trying to get our attention. Our prayers are always a response to something God has done, stirred in us, or gifted us with.
Second, I was struck by the idea that prayer might be offered by deeds and even without words! Choosing to respond to an angry comment with love and patience can be a prayer if we are mindful that we are responding to God’s invitation to “turn the other cheek” and to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Praying without words brings us into the realm of Christian meditation and contemplation. There are ways of praying with images (click here for more info on imagery and prayer), there are also ways of praying without words or active thoughts – simply enjoying the presence of God (click here for more information on Christian contemplation).
Lent is a time to work on our spiritual fitness. There seems to be a general consensus among the great spiritual writers of the Christian tradition – Catholic and Protestant –about what a healthy prayer life should look like. Here it is, in my own short form:
- A growing Christian should pray every day.
2. This daily prayer should have two major expressions.
A. A daily, scheduled private time of prayer with the Lord. This could be five minutes in the morning where you pray over your day, for your loved ones, and read some Scripture to center yourself.
B. Little prayers throughout the day. This would include things like praying grace at meals (silently is ok in public, aloud is important at home with friends or family), but would also include short prayers offered to God in the context of daily life, such as “Lord, the kids are going crazy today. Help me and them to calm down.” “God, Bill seems to be having a tough time at work today. Help him and help me to help him.” “Jesus, help those in that car wreck and the medical personnel who are trying to save their lives.” “Father, what a beautiful day, sunny and mild. Thank you!”etc.
Much more could be said about prayer (see here for example, or here), but the important thing is to be praying on a regular basis. If you aren’t, stretch yourself to pray more. If you are praying regularly, stretch yourself to learn to pray in new ways.
What else would you recommend in terms of developing a stronger prayer life?
A few thoughts on prayer from me.
ReplyDeletePray as you can, not as you can't.
A friend had to learn how to pray. He did not know how to begin. It was suggested to him, that every night, before going to sleep, he toss his cigarettes under the bed. In the morning, when searching for them, he would find himself in the correct posture to begin. God would do the rest.He said that it took some time, but it began to happen.
"Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."
I use to think that this was a simplistic, sometimes ridiculous way to pray. However, it takes great trust and patience. Every once in a while, this is the only prayer I pray. It greatly makes room for and enhances the 'listening' side of prayer.
One time a woman at a retreat ask that out of all the prayers said to God how was God to hear hers or even recognize her prayer. Someone sang the 'Tigger Song' from Winnie The Pooh. If you don't know it, look it up. It makes sense.
Nobody prays like you.
Pray for me. Amen
Look it up
Thank you Brothers for your comments and I thank God for your presence.
ReplyDeletePrayer prompts are helpful for me. While driving, white vehicles become prayer prompts. They help me pay attention to the traffic and serve as reminders to offer prayers to God.
Prayer prompts are scattered about throughout my house, including the crucifix, pictures, prayer books, bibles and many more. Of course, one must actually connect the objects with prayer. Prayer beads help me remember the names of those I pray for. My sister-in-law gave me a prayer journal to record favorite prayers and the names of those in need of prayer.
Quiet time must be planned within the day and scheduled just as other important events are scheduled. This is time to sit and listen to God. Noise distracts me from prayer so I strive to live a quiet life. However, music does help me attain a prayerful state of being.
Practicing the presence of God in all I do is quite helpful. Even if I am doing a task that I dislike, I pray to accept this task for the glory of God. Living a prayer filled life is to live life at its fullest.
I often explain to those who say they do not get anything out of the mass or other various rites of prayer, such as the rosary, that they need to give it more time. The only way they will get anything out of it is if they keep doing it until it becomes such a natural act that positive things begin to happen as the mind, body, and soul begin operating on a spiritual level rather than a mundane level. The rosary, for example, might seem cumbersome or even tiresome to those who are just learning it. Only after sticking with it and working through the intial discomfort can one get to the point where the rosary yields the fulness of spiritual benefits.
ReplyDeleteThis is true of prayer in general. As was mentioned by Sr. Pam, it is essential to employ discipline in setting aside prayer time. A hurried prayer when one is exhausted and falling asleep may be better than nothing, but is hardly ideal. Employing discipline may be uncomfortable at first, but in time prayer becomes natural. How long it takes is up to God and the individual.
Of course, if one is lucky enough to be a contemplative, essentially all of one's daily life is one big prayer.
What is essential in prayer, before dedication or ritual is that we respond to God as HE calls to us in a manner of Honesty, Openness and Willingness. This is HOW God is with us and we need be with God. This is the beginning of true prayer. Being a Contemplative (God chooses us to be contemplatives and gives of these gifts) does not mean an enhances awareness or mystical connection or luckiness, but being Honest, Open and Willing (to be) with God. As, God is with us. It starts here, journeys here and ends here. The eternal now.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Br. Gordon. It is not easy for everyone to get to that point, and that is one reason we have this ritualized form of worship that has been around essentially since the beginning. Even our Lord gave us a formula for prayer.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about contemplatives as well. The ones I have known are very much as you describe.
Archbishop, your advice to stick with a particular prayer practice is very good. I often describe learning the liturgy (Eucharist) as akin to learning how to ride a bicycle. At first it is cumbersome and requires lots of effort. But over time it becomes second nature and it begins taking you places -- so with the liturgy and with prayer in general!
ReplyDeleteAlways, always in AA you come across those who 1) 'I don't know how to pray.' 2) 'I can't pray.' 3) 'Prayer has never worked for me.' 4) 'I won't pray' The first two are those who have never had any faith or religious upbringing. The last two are those who are so, so angry with the faith they have turned against. (from personal experience the last two are the hardest nut to crack (honesty, but no openness or willingness). The beginning ritual, practice is 'In the morning just ask for a day of Sobriety - not to take a drink today and trough out the day if you have to... and to say thank you at the end of the day. I have seen it work time and time again, without fail. A good (but, not the only) way to begin to speak to God in prayer. It allows God into one's life AND to change that life. Soon, the God of Sobriety becomes the God of Thankfulness, The God that takes care of My Family, The God who helps me Love and find a job etc... Deo Gratias. We are told to listen...because desires to speak to us. Again Deo Gratias!
ReplyDelete