SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT PRAYER
Why do you pray? Have you ever pondered that question? Every great theologian and Christian writer agrees that prayer is an important part of our faith. Almost everyone says that we should pray daily. Yet, I wonder if anyone really thinks about why we should do it. What is its purpose? What do we hope to achieve?
Almost all prayers I hear fall under the category of prayers of supplication. These are prayers where we ask God to give us something. Often, what we ask is for healing- either for ourselves or for others. Sometimes what we ask for is comfort, particularly for the family of someone who has died.
I don’t object when someone prays to receive something. In fact, our faith teaches us that we should ask for the things that we want. Where this becomes problematic is when it becomes the only time that we pray. If we pray only to receive things from God, if we pray only to receive comfort or to grant requests for healings or to receive a blessing, then we effectively turn God into the genie in the story of Aladdin.
Think about it! The Genie does what he is told. He waits quietly in the bottle until he is summoned. He grants whatever wishes his master asks. Then after granting the wishes, he goes back into the bottle until he is summoned again. How often do we treat God like that? Do we keep God in a bottle that we take out only once per week?
The Bible says that we should pray without ceasing. If you want your prayer to be a little richer, here are some ideas for you.
First, there is a formula I learned when I was in Seminary: ACTS. Acts stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Following this formula is one way to get yourself out of the rut you might be in as you pray. First, say prayers of praise and adoration to God. Secondly, confess your sins to God. Then give thanks for the blessings God has given you. Finally, ask God for what you want.
A close look at the Lord’s prayer will show that the Lord’s prayer includes more than just supplication.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. The Kingdom come thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. (Adoration)
Give us This day our daily bread. (Supplication)
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. (Confession)
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Confession/ supplication)
For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Adoration)
The Lord’s prayer is so rich precisely because it focuses most of its attention away from us and towards God. This mirrors how our faith should be! It isn’t about us, it’s about God!
In addition to ACTS formula, I want to introduce you to two or three prayer disciplines that will enrich your prayer life. First, let me recommend centering prayer. In centering prayer, we focus all of our attention on God. Sometimes, I hear people say they don’t like to pray because they don’t ever know what to say. The beauty of centering prayer is that you don’t have to say anything. When you engage in centering prayer you focus your attention on a thought, or a bible verse, or an image.
For example, years ago my late sister-in-law had a painting of three empty crosses on the hill of Calvary. When she died, the artist heard that my wife’s family liked the painting and painted some copies of it. It looks very similar to the image here. I sometimes center my thoughts on the image of that painting.
You may find, as you try this prayer discipline that your mind begins to wander. That’s okay! Just view it as an opportunity to return to your maker. Gently redirect your thoughts back to the prayer. Don’t waste time criticizing yourself! Just return to the prayer. It’s amazing how much doing this every day can lift your spirits.
Another prayer discipline I would like to suggest is called the examen. This discipline comes to us from St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. In this type of prayer, the individual reviews their day, lifting up points of their day to Jesus. Usually, this type of prayer is centered around some list or bible verse that is prayed.
For example, take the scripture from I Thessalonians 5:12-22. This says:
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which I good for one another and for all [people] Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Now, if I were to construct an examen prayer based on this verse I might sit down and pray something like this. “Oh, Lord, where today have I appreciated those who live labor among the faithful? Where today have lived in peace with others? Where have I admonished the unruly? Where have I encouraged the fainthearted? Where have I helped the weak? and so forth…” After each question, I would stop and reflect on the answer to the question. Depending upon the answer I would either ask forgiveness and direction to do better, or I would thank God for the faith that allowed me to be a disciple. Then, I would move on to the next question. I like to pray this first thing in the morning as I recall the previous day, but you can pray it in evening if you wish.
I hope you find these ideas helpful in your prayer life. May you grow in the faith and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!