6/28/23
I read somewhere that it’s the stages of life that age us: high school, college, finding a career, marriage, children, retirement . . .
If that’s true, I’m still somewhere in my 20s!
At least, that’s how I think, until I look in the mirror – which is always a shock! And then the doctor tells me (as I heard again at the ENT on Tuesday) “as we get older. . .”
*Sigh*
My antidote? Eight hours of sleep, drinking lots of water, eating healthfully (most of the time), walking daily (most weeks) . . . and still my knees creak; I have trouble immediately recalling certain words, and the filter between what I think and what I say is rapidly disappearing (in other words, I’m turning into my parents). Still, I have another recourse: I pray.
Prayer does nothing to turn back the clock, but it does help me sort things out, set my agenda, reduce stress, solve problems, and a host of other benefits.
But really, it’s not about the benefits as much as it is about the relationship. We say our mission is “Loving God . . . Loving Others.” If you love someone, you’re going to spend time with them - quality time, not just “punching the timecard” time. Prayer is the primary way we build a relationship with God. The third verse of “I Am Thine O Lord” says it well:
“Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!”
While I do know people, who, when they call or when I meet them for lunch, do all the talking and I feel like I do all the listening, but in most cases, when I “commune as friend with friend” the communication is two way: I speak, yes, but more importantly, I listen. Listening is vital for prayer.
But we are less likely to hear God’s voice if we don’t make time to listen, which is another very important aspect of loving someone. We can never “commune as friend with friend” with God unless we make space in our lives for that to happen.
And another thing about prayer is it can’t be taught in a class; we have to do it. It must be learned through practice, through trial and error. Like learning to play an instrument, we begin with the basics and commit ourselves to a life-time of learning. We learn to pray by praying.
I’ve been writing this summer about prayer, and I’ve given several possible patterns for prayer; but this week we’re putting something concrete in your hands: “A Guide to Daily Prayer.” If all goes as planned, it’ll be available as you enter the church on the table next to Sunday’s order of worship beginning this Sunday, July 2. We’re printing it on cardstock because I’m hoping it will need to stand up to lots of use! It will also be an insert in next week’s newsletter.
The pattern of the prayer is based on the Daily Morning Prayer found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Since it was first compiled and edited by Thomas Cramner in 1549, the BCP, along with Shakespeare and the King James Bible, has been one of the most influential English books ever written. It is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources. And the language is beautiful.
Among the riches of the BCP is the Daily Morning Prayer, a service prayed (and often sung) in churches and monasteries every day. Every day. I’ve taken it and adapted it slightly for your use as individuals or as families. You can feel free to adapt it further as you feel led, but the purpose is to put something in your hands to help build a sense of regularity and balance in your prayer life.
Each day’s prayer time begins with a scripture, followed by our familiar confession (it’s always best to get any barriers out of the way first). Then comes readings taken from your daily Bible Readings (see the Daily Bible Reading announcement for more on these), followed by the Apostle’s Creed, prayer for your needs and the needs of others, a short prayer to sum up your time, and a closing benediction taken from scripture.
This is intended to be a simple step-by-step guide and not any sort of burden. The last thing you want is for prayer to become some sort of legalistic expectation. If I spend time with anyone because I have to, there’s not much benefit to either of us!
Although it’s taken from a Morning Prayer, feel free to use any time of the day. The point is to use it whenever it suits you best. One of the beauties of prayer is that it is something we all can do, creaky knees and all! If you’re like me and morning is your best, freshest time, then pray in the morning. If you’re a night-owl, and your best time is midnight, then pray then.
There’s no magic formula; we just pray!
Blessings,
Pastor Terry