Got Prayer?

 

I just had an interesting conversation with my husband about prayer.  Eating our meals together often leads to deep conversation – if not politics, then theology! He noted, what I too have observed, that not many people – not even within our church – appear to be comfortable opening or closing a gathering with prayer.  But perhaps, we as Christians, need to broaden our “defnition” of prayer.

What is prayer?  Is it just a verbal execution that is prayed aloud? Does prayer even have to have words?  My paperback Webster’s dictionary has several definitions of prayer, the first being: “a devout petition to or spiritual communion with God or an object of worship.” (italics are mine).  Isn’t prayer then, anything that creates a connection between a person and God? 

During my spiritual journey, I’ve been blessed to be part of groups which have for me, broadened my own definition of prayer. Prayer can be as simple as lighting a candle to remind me of Christ’s presence, or to lift up a particular person in need.  Recently, in a Sunday School class I attend, we each had the opportunity to light a votive candle and name a person who was weighing on our hearts.  We did not have to state that particular person’s need.  It was enough to light the candle as a symbolic gesture of lifting that person up to God.  Throughout the class, while engaged in discussion of the lesson, the candles reminded us of our petitions to God to be with each person named.  This was moving, powerful.

Many people, and I among them, believe that prayer can be any creative expression which inspires one to look to a Higher Being: artwork, poetry, literature. This can be true for the artist as well as that person who appreciates the art.  Reading some poetry can be a prayer to me, a way of connecting with God, in a new, unique way.  Writing poetry can do the same for me.  Why else did God give us an ability to create, but than to give us another avenue in which to meet Him?

Prayer can also be the silent moments taken in solitude or in a group.  There is a powerful Presence experienced within the consent of a group to acknowledge God in silence.  We know that each of us is connected in our quiet unity and also with God.  “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

And what about music?  I would be willing to bet that most Christians feel a prayerful, awe-struck sense of God when they hear the “Hallelujah Chorus”.  A gospel song can bring tears to my eyes or to my husband’s eyes. Isn’t that a connection with God? Then, is it not also a form of prayer? 

If I thought about it long enough, I’m sure I could name many other forms prayer has taken for me.  And I’m sure as long as I’m living (and growing in Christ), I will be learning and experiencing more wonderful ways to connect with God. 

Surely with such infinite creative capacity, God would not limit us to only one way to commune with Him.   And in all those ways of communion, there is prayer.  Hallelujah!

Here’s my prayer for today – a poem I first wrote in January 2008, and have since revised many times.

Sanctuary (or praying on a Thursday evening)

It is cold, my hands folded,

one offering warmth to the other.

The heavy wooden cross

above me, looms

suspended from the beams.

It is an act of faith to be sure

this cross will not submit to gravity,

as Christ surrendered to humanity.

Outside the traffic moans,

active chatter fills the foyer,

stops up my mind. A prayer

begins as all else drowns in the liquid

silence of this place.  It is what

I’ve come to need: no words, no thoughts,

Just Christ, now triumphant in

this holy space.