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 You gather us together in Faith, O God, as a loving mother and a gentle father. Help us to remember that your dwelling place is built upon love and peace, and that to bring about your reign on earth we must follow your way of peace. We pray for all governments and legislatures that they may be mindful of the rights of all people of this world to live in peace and dignity. Grant this in the name of Jesus. Amen The New Companion to the Breviary
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 I feel it is safe to say that everyone of you know someone who is suffering from a physical illness--one of the biggies such as cancer, Parkinson's, COPD (or one the lesser annoyances such as a cold or cough). Some of those friends may have a strong faith, some a lingering faith from childhood, other a little hope in something that will help them get through…. Regardless, to some degree, they are anxious about their future.
I have such friends, and I check in with them often. They know that I attend church regularly, that I work on my faith, and on most days my faith is strong. We don't talk about faith unless they ask, but when things are tough for them, they tell me that they are glad that I am praying for them. Such a comment warms my heart, but I know and have come to believe that my prayer makes a difference, whether they know about it or not. I pray because I believe.  My prayer as Covenant Leader at church on Sunday.
Dear God, A beautiful fall weekend; your creation. And we are also your creation, beautifully and wonderfully made in your image, your image of love. Lead us to make choices that extend your love and beauty out into your created world. Lead us to be co-creators with you, you who sent us Jesus who shows us the way. Let us listen and pray on these words he gave us: You did not choose me, but I chose you to bear fruit, fruit that will last so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. Help us, God, to know what to ask so that we may love one another. Amen  "Prayer is not designed to change God but to change us."
I read this one-liner in Open Mind, Open Heart, by Thomas Keating. It felt like a one-off, but I'm certain that if I explore and study Fr. Keating's work, it would not stand alone; there much more nuance going on with prayer. For sure, prayer changes me. Even trying to pray for politicians with whom I disagree, changes me to be a little more loving and accepting of them. Okay, this is not a polemic I'm writing! When I pray for some person or situation, my intention is not to change God's mind or tell God what to do. It's much more complicated that that. Actually, I'm pretty much clueless about what is going on or what should be done, other than knowing that something must be done/changed and that I am desperate to offer more than concrete, physical changes. My prayer is to clear out negative energy and renew love into God's creation. God created the universe and 'it was good'. And God created us but we screw up, so when I pray I'm saying, "Hey God, I'm with you on this love idea, even when I've mess up with negative stuff." God gave us humans free will with the requirement that we co-create with Him.  This is the morning prayer for the the First Day in A Diary of Private Prayer, by John Baillie. My mother used this book every day as part of her morning prayer time, and she gave me a copy.
O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge to-day in every time and circumstance of need. Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful. be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit's welfare. Be my Strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.  San Miniato A friend shared with me how she prays with particularity for everyone on her prayer list. Healing, peace during a difficult situation, the gift to answer God's special call, to 'let go and let God'--what they ask for or what she hears God leading her to pray.
I am trying it, trying to be more expansive and personal, and if feels right. My tendency is to pray Thy will be done and leave it at that. That may be the ultimate prayer, but God can handle more intimacy, more humanity, more transparency from us humans. Jesus was both human and divine. I am mostly human, why not offer human prayers? "Hey God, help, do something, heal my friend, heal me."  Two years ago I wrote 'Prayer Thoughts'*, a little booklet about prayer. Originally I considered calling it 'Thoughts and Prayers', but as I looked into the phrase I came to understand that it was fraught with inuendo, and code for all kinds of points of view that were more political than religious. Put simply, the phrase thoughts and prayers did not mean prayers in a religious sense, which was the way I was representing it in the booklet.
Last week the response to the school shooting in Nashville vindicated my decision to stay away from thoughts and prayers, and go with 'Prayer Thoughts'. Students and parents demonstrated against the phrase, claiming that it is code for avoiding sensible gun control legislation. They may welcome prayers, which is personal, but they want action, which is public. * Email me if you would like a copy of "Prayer Thoughts" or my more recent booklet, 'Hope Thought'. [email protected] prayer_thoughts.pdf  Recently I have been saying The Lord’s Prayer in seven separate sections, giving a pause between each one. I even count on my fingers as I go to be sure of the breaks. Amazing change of rote memory to deep prayer. I won’t way more, other than to suggest you give it a try.
(1) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; (2) thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. (3) Give us this day our daily bread. (4) And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. (5) And lead us not into temptation; (6) but deliver us from evil. (7) For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.  To pray is to pay attention to something or someone other than yourself. Whenever a man concentrates his attention--on a landscape, poem, geometrical problem, an idol, or the True God—that he completely forgets his own ego and desires, he is praying.
I put this quote by W.H. Auden on my cottagebythesea blog because I figured, even though God is mentioned, it wasn’t too religious. In trying to keep that blog about silence, solitude, and simplicity, I don’t write anything ‘too religious’. And yet, I assume that anyone with that longing probably taps into some desire for the ineffable. Auden’s understanding of prayer resonates with me. Prayer is not about me and my judgments. It isn’t about telling God what I think God should do for others. As I live day by day with prayer, I’m hearing more and more that prayer is about lifting up a person or situation to God. Jesus, being human and divine, has implanted this in my heart. |
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