I struggle to grasp the practice of prayer.
I get little from the examples and styles that I see. They are often sermons in drag. They often fit the Biblical description of vain repetition or posturing on street corners for attention, and those are condemned. For many people the pastoral prayer is a good time to check their Tweets or think about where they want to go for lunch.
Yet we are told to pray without ceasing. I can’t do that if it is a shopping list. Maybe you can. We are all different in so many ways that I can accept that. My grandmother used to be able to go on forever with great passion while I kneeled and counted the lines on my knuckles. I can do it if it is an intimate conversation with God. That is why I start with praise and thanksgiving.
Maybe I should consider some of the Psalms as prayers. They would certainly be better examples than what I hear from pulpits. I am going to pursue that thought as I continue to read through Psalms.
homo unius libri
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Opus 2023-087: Why Pray?
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I guess you could call me a "contant pray'er" ....some days I seem to pray and talk to the Lord constantly, just little things, little "thank you for helping me hang that picture I love", silly things I guess. I always pray for the Lord to ride with me when I get into the car to go somewhere. I guess I just feel safe and comfort when I pray to Him, even for little things.
ReplyDeleteThat is the kind of prayer I can understand because it is in the category of communication with another being rather than a shopping list. I think it is more in line with what Paul was talking about with "pray without ceasing."
DeleteGrace and peace