“Prepositions and Prayer”
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
– Luke 11:1
Not all that long ago when meeting with some friends one of them said this… “I’m going to stop praying for people.” And before anyone could respond or inquire as to why… that person said, “Instead, I’ve decided to pray with people.” The qualifying comment was filled with love and purpose… “How many times have I said to someone… ‘I’ll pray for you’ and then didn’t? Now… instead of making a promise I can break… I’m just going to pray with the person right then and there.”
The verbal applause followed. Hope was handy. Then another person in that group said, “This sounds great… but I’m not sure I really know how to pray.” And then a few heads began to nod in affirmation. Words matter. Prepositions help. They are the ‘connectors’ of our verbalized thoughts and actions. Jesus’ disciples asked him, “ Master, teach us TO pray.” And Jesus did.
Church people have their own language. We use some pat phrases that from time to time need some explanation. ‘Simul Justus et peccator’ is one of them… that tag line Martin Luther used to explain St. Paul’s theology of sin and grace… saying we are at the same time saint and sinner… not saints sometimes and not sinners at other times but rather both saint and sinner… all the time.
We use other prepositions to describe what happens at the Lord’s table when the church announces we share in the real presence of Jesus Christ as we eat and drink the body and blood of our Lord in, with and under the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. Powerful words. Defining prepositions!
And when it comes to our spiritual life there are other prepositions that help us in a life of prayer… like when St. Paul wrote to his friends in Thessalonica saying… “ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” See? Prepositions… the hardware of our language… nuts and bolts and hinges to give strength for God’s Word to stand.
Or this… in the high priestly prayer of Jesus recorded in St. John chapter 17… “ Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of your Son So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human So he might give real and eternal life to all in his care.” (John 17:1-2 / The Message)
There is power in our prayers, and we know that people who pray more often are more caring and confident in their faith.
And it’s more than just remembering there are different kinds of praying… like the helpful meme A-C-T-S… prayers of A-doration and prayers of C-onfession and prayers of T-hanksgiving along with prayers of S-upplicction or as some say… intercession seeking God’s supply for others as we give praise to God in all times and in all place for people here, there and everywhere under many different circumstances and being able to place before God’s throne just about anything that matters.
A long time ago… back in the 20th century a guy named Leon taught me this… a simple model to help anyone pray… at just about any time…
Call upon the name of God;
Give an attribute of God;
Include a petition of ‘thanksgiving;’
Be clear about what you are praying for;
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
St. Benedict taught us ‘ora et labora’… to pray and work as this is the rhythm of life guiding us as we take time to pray with others and not just for them.
The Rev. Dr. Brian K. Gigee is a long-time resident of Pearland, having pastored four churches over the last four decades in Texas and Louisiana. Read more following Brian’s blog ‘murmurings’ at https://briangigee.wordpress.com/. Send comments and/or questions to godworks247365@gmail.com.
