Lately prayer has been much on my mind. I keep urging you to approach this election with prayer and thoughtful care. Are we? What do we really do when we pray?
Jesus taught us the Lord’s prayer, Matthew chapter 6. He warned against ‘much speaking’. Paul talks about groaning in the spirit, weighed down with our needs and burdens, so heavy we can only groan in our misery.
Prayer is simply talking with our Father in heaven, who hears us and knows or needs.
Most of us have prayer we use daily, at mealtime, at bedtime, when getting up etc. It is good to have such prayer, the one warning I might raise is that they often might tend become ‘rote’. Get them out of the way sort of obligation.
Think when you say the words of a memorized prayer. Let your mind rest on one phrase or another, and meditate briefly on what you are saying, and praying. Keep in mind always that we are in God’s presence, asking Him for what we need or thanking Him for the blessings He has given us.
Sure, use printed prayers. Reading or speaking them thoughtfully does mention the concerns and cares you might have to address. They also keep us from saying the things we want to say in the same old wording, nothing fresh or stimulating.
Having favorite prayers also is good. It tends to focus the mind and your thoughts on the issues you are concerned with.
A favorite I have often used in evening services, I took it from “The Minister’s Prayer book” and the source is unknown.
“O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life,
Until the shadows lengthen,
And the evening comes,
And the busy world is hushed,
The fever of life is over,
And our work is done.
Then, Lord, in Thy mercy
Grant us safe lodging,
And holy rest,
And peace at the last.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
GPD 10/14/08
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