I’m been thinking a lot about prayer recently. This is partly prompted by the Sermon on the Mount series on Sundays [Matthew 6 contains The Disciple’s Prayer, taught by Jesus] and partly by Frank Skinner’s book - A Comedian’s Prayer Book - which explores his own imperfect conversations with God.
Saint Paul admonishes us: “…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…” [Philippians 4:6] and tells us that whilst “we do not know what we ought to pray for, the Sprit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” [Romans 8:26]
My daughter asked for the Book of Common Prayer for Christmas, which pleased me; I have a copy and I love the poetry and depth of phrase it contains. I also value the more off the cuff conversations I have with God – especially alongside siblings in Christ.
So what form does prayer take? What is it really about?
Is it two life-long friends side by side in silence, walking through life?
Is it the laughter and noise of family around a dinner table?
Is it a hug held in silence, punctuated with sighs and tears?
Is it an appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation?
Is it a song sung in harmony, full of the pleasure of sound and resonance?
Is it a hand instinctively reaching out and another hand taking hold?
Is it an intense Q&A, bible open, seeking truth?
Is it a plea for clarity in an argument of confusion?
Is it a pre-prepared line, borrowed from someone more versed in articulating the unsayable?
Is it a brief and to the point message, with two ticks to show receipt and a wait for a response?
Is it all of these?
And so, I start: “Our Father…” And I repeat as often as I can.
A Muslim colleague at work asked me, how often do you pray each day? I understood what he was asking – how devoted are you and how disciplined are you in your devotion? The answer is complicated, as all relationships are. I said, “sometimes only once, but often it takes all day”.
I’m still learning about prayer, as I’m still learning to recognise my Father’s voice and to listen to what he’d saying. And I expect that it’s a conversation that will last a lifetime.
‘Father, whether we are still learning how to voice our first words to you, or whether we have enjoyed a life-long walk with you, please teach us the language of prayer.’
