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Weak in Prayer January 18 marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. I've always enjoyed that emphasis in the Church's life, although I certainly can't pride myself as being a 'Prayer Warrior' -- as some are called!I enjoy coming together with others in prayer, to commune with God -- but also to hear others speak beautiful, meaningful prayers that I could never formulate. I like to think that God must be pleased to hear these wonderful prayers coming from these wonderful people! -- How is your prayer life? Some people don't care to pray: 'God already knows our needs before we ask' -- This is a verse taken out of context!! Jesus was talking about not [rambling on!] when praying. It isn't about 'not praying'. Jesus showed us how to pray. He spent a lot of time in prayer himself. His prayer, recorded in more than one of the Gospels [Matthew 6 and parallels] is recognized even by his own Jewish people as an important contribution to prayer. Furthermore, Jesus taught these things about prayer: Pray in private (Matthew 6:6) Don't make a show of your piety. Don't go on for ever and ever. Use a prayer like the Lord's prayer (-- Jesus' own prayer) and mean it! Jesus said that if you forgive others, [as you pray for forgiveness for yourself] your Father in heaven will forgive you. ... Speak with God as you would with the 'best mom or dad in the world'. Build a relationship through your conversations! Jesus' prayer in Gethsemene speaks volumes: "Father, not my will but thine be done." Jesus' prayer on the cross is equally powerful: "Father forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." Another prayer that is also not selfish is the ACTS prayer: Adore God, Confess your sins, Thank God. Pray for others (supplications). Another prayer might be a bedtime prayer which someone called a 'recollection of my day': Thank God for everyone you spent some time with. Another good prayer is a gathering up of all the sad stories of the day; knowledge about the illness of friends who are sick, world news about suffering ... and laying these at Gods' 'feet' in prayer -- Then thank God for your own blessings -- even in times of personal trouble. Never shy away from asking God for help for yourself! Yes, many people are worse off than you are, but God also loves you and cares about you. I also enjoy reading old prayers composed generations ago. They seem to be less constrained by time. I feel they are generally carefully crafted and cover more of our inner thoughts and sins. Books of prayers are available at Christian Bookstores or in libraries. Your church library may have some -- Church libraries seem to specialize in 'old books'. Excellent prayers are also shared at special worship services during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, services for the Persecuted Church or World day of Prayer. They can be used throughout the year and will be helpful in personal prayer. I hope this short survey of prayers is useful to strengthen you, if you feel weak in prayer -- as I often do. Martin W.
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