Sunday, November 20, 2005
Prayer, part 1
When I was 19 I was in Bible School for a year. It was a half day school that met in a church. I made some great friends there, and met lots of interesting characters. One of them was Adam (not his real name). One day during pre-school group prayer Adam, on his knees with pants slouched down and butt crack showing, shouted "God help me with these feelings of lust for my girlfriend!" The girlfriend beside him muttered a quiet "Yes Lord".
Well, that's just the comedic part. Adam was sincere in his request, and expressing it to God was the right thing to do. Also, a very embarrassing thing, as it spread around the school before first break. It made a lasting memory for some of us.
What is prayer about? Christians aren't the only ones to practise some form of conversation, speaking to, chanting about a higher power. Is it meant for our community and our hearts, or is it meant to sway God?
This past week Lori posted some thoughts and questions that show deep introspection and exploration of ideas that were brave to talk about. What's wrong with asking tough questions rather than solely relying on a public teaching? Both approaches are valid, for different personality types. Or maybe more accurately, for different stages of life experience.
I believe in community and individual prayer. They seem to me to have two different purposes. From here in I will not qualify what I say by using the words "I think". Just insert "I think" or "To me" as you read, in order to save me typing, okay?
Individual prayer is my way of staying in contact with God, as my best friend, companion, provider, deity, etc. It builds my relationship with God. Rarely do I hear an audible reply or miraculous response. Most of my prayers seem unanswered, or answered with "no", judging by circumstances over the years. I have begun to migrate away from asking God for specific material things and asking for big picture things instead. "Help me to give myself to You"..."I want to turn to You instead of inside me when things hurt". You get the picture. Sure, I still have prayed that I would find the right job in the best possible timing. I am not devoid of that teaching or that kind of prayer. But as I pray it I know things go where they go and I might not find work (for example) for a long time. I have to think that it isn't God's design to answer our prayers the way we see fit. I can't balance the experience of other faithful Christians who have prayed and served and look like they get the shaft when it comes to being able to feed their kids properly or find a decent place to live or not have yet another member of their family die. Sometimes, to be honest I think our prayers are shallow and too temporal based. They are about what we can get or do or be rather than matters of the heart. They are about attaining...the right coloured roof, the perfect boyfriend that you just met, the right college for the kids.
Honestly, sometimes too much of prayer is about formula. Pray a certain way and you will receive _______________. You fill in the blank. The Lord's prayer is a formula, but not one for prosperity. It's an example (more accurately) used to show insecure people how to relate to God when praying. Most of it is purely relational, recognizing the awesomeness of God and keeping our heart relationship good with Him. Being honest and open. One line in the whole thing talks about physical sustenance. Many of the prayers I hear at Bible studies don't follow that format.
Could it be that over the years many of us have forgotten or not been taught about the relationship of prayer? That we have relied, in this fast-paced ego-centric society, on quick fix prayers? That our prayers have more of "I" in it than "You"? Am I the only one who has been guilty of this?
Well, that's just the comedic part. Adam was sincere in his request, and expressing it to God was the right thing to do. Also, a very embarrassing thing, as it spread around the school before first break. It made a lasting memory for some of us.
What is prayer about? Christians aren't the only ones to practise some form of conversation, speaking to, chanting about a higher power. Is it meant for our community and our hearts, or is it meant to sway God?
This past week Lori posted some thoughts and questions that show deep introspection and exploration of ideas that were brave to talk about. What's wrong with asking tough questions rather than solely relying on a public teaching? Both approaches are valid, for different personality types. Or maybe more accurately, for different stages of life experience.
I believe in community and individual prayer. They seem to me to have two different purposes. From here in I will not qualify what I say by using the words "I think". Just insert "I think" or "To me" as you read, in order to save me typing, okay?
Individual prayer is my way of staying in contact with God, as my best friend, companion, provider, deity, etc. It builds my relationship with God. Rarely do I hear an audible reply or miraculous response. Most of my prayers seem unanswered, or answered with "no", judging by circumstances over the years. I have begun to migrate away from asking God for specific material things and asking for big picture things instead. "Help me to give myself to You"..."I want to turn to You instead of inside me when things hurt". You get the picture. Sure, I still have prayed that I would find the right job in the best possible timing. I am not devoid of that teaching or that kind of prayer. But as I pray it I know things go where they go and I might not find work (for example) for a long time. I have to think that it isn't God's design to answer our prayers the way we see fit. I can't balance the experience of other faithful Christians who have prayed and served and look like they get the shaft when it comes to being able to feed their kids properly or find a decent place to live or not have yet another member of their family die. Sometimes, to be honest I think our prayers are shallow and too temporal based. They are about what we can get or do or be rather than matters of the heart. They are about attaining...the right coloured roof, the perfect boyfriend that you just met, the right college for the kids.
Honestly, sometimes too much of prayer is about formula. Pray a certain way and you will receive _______________. You fill in the blank. The Lord's prayer is a formula, but not one for prosperity. It's an example (more accurately) used to show insecure people how to relate to God when praying. Most of it is purely relational, recognizing the awesomeness of God and keeping our heart relationship good with Him. Being honest and open. One line in the whole thing talks about physical sustenance. Many of the prayers I hear at Bible studies don't follow that format.
Could it be that over the years many of us have forgotten or not been taught about the relationship of prayer? That we have relied, in this fast-paced ego-centric society, on quick fix prayers? That our prayers have more of "I" in it than "You"? Am I the only one who has been guilty of this?
// posted by Annette @ 9:41 p.m. 