Much Said About Prayer Today

We have mention each Sunday Service of people in need of prayer. It amazes me that for a church of about 550 people, there is so much suffering and loss. I've been the recipient of prayers from the church, and was comforted. I am most close to the choir since much of my church time is spent with them, and that experience is so comforting; that so many care so much. That much care, that much concern, that much love...

There have been experiments to test the effectiveness of prayer. There are some interesting studies showing there are positive measurable effects, but not quantifiable enough to make a solid scientific case. Those of us the do pray, and understand what's going on, knows it works.

"The usual notion of prayer is so absurd. How can those who know nothing about it, who pray little or not at all, dare to speak frivolously of prayer? ... If it were really what they suppose, a kind of chatter, the dialogue of a madman with his shadow, or even less--a vain and superstitious sort of petition to be given the good things of this world, how could innumerable people find comfort until their dying day...in the...sheer, robust, vigorous , abundant joy in prayer?...Could a sane man set himself up as a judge of music because he has sometimes touched a keyboard with the tips of his fingers?"

Rabbi David Wolpe: "Deep prayer is an experience like music or love--indescribable to one who does not pray."

Rabbi Wolpe tells of Leona Medina, 17th century rabbi, who writes of watching a man in a boat pulling himself ashore, "If you were confused about weight and motion, that he was really pulling the shore to his boat. People have much the same confusion about spiritual weight and motion: In prayer, some believe that you are pulling God closer to you. But in fact the heartfelt prayer pulls you closer to God." (from "Why Faith Matters" by Rabbi Wolpe)

Rabbi Wople goes on, after writing that we are praying to be assured that things be all right, that "Every prayer in this way is a prayer for peace; it is peace in the world and in one's soul, the certainty that the pain is not empty, the world not a void, the soul is not alone.
"Prayer can ultimately be judged only by its effect on the one who prays. Communication between human beings is so subtle and various and uncertain, we should not expect that when an individual or a community opens itself to God we can chart the result on a graph."

We can't graph it except in our hearts. I know that when people ask me to pray for them, it's a good thing and it works. I know when I ask for their prayers for me, it's a good thing, and it works. Today in our bulletin eleven people were listed for health related prayers...plus twenty one not members of our church, but friends of members that wanted prayer...plus twenty two that have a need of continuing prayer for ongoing issues...plus requests for prayers for expectant parents...plus we ask for prayers for military personal. This last, one is on his eighth deployment to Afghanistan. Four more in Afghanistan, two in Iraq, and a couple others in other services. That's just a part of the prayer requests, and from a small church. I ask for peace in all their lives.

I know prayers are answered, and know too that they are often answered in unexpected ways. It's why, I suppose, that Jesus taught to pray "thy will be done". I know too, that listening to God is a prayer..."be still". I know prayer opens me, us, to God.

I get distracted from the habit, and writing this will put me back in it, and that is the 'Jesus Prayer'. Paul advised in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing, which gave rise to this prayer. Traditionally, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." It can take any form, just so it's without ceasing; instead of playing out future scenarios, or ruminating about something that's happened, etc. I pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." I pray this, and pray for all sufferers, and pray to be open to God.