I Like Prayer

SAT., NOV. 13, 1993, 7:00 AM
FARM, STUDY

Yes, o son, I, the Holy Spirit, do like prayer. It usually isn’t directed at Me, but, being One with the Father and with the Lord Christ, I am most often the responder. As a Christian, your prayer can be variously addressed, for We have many names to which We respond.

Some prayer is quite ritualistic. The Lord’s Prayer, so called, is such, and most Christians have memorized this and, unfortunately, say it in a sing-song, liturgical fashion without much thought. Since your “second tour” at Central Union you haven’t done this, but I still would like a bit more consciousness to the words that you say so expressively.

You once knew another long prayer, but it has mostly faded. If you were fervent orthodox you would have many more prayers committed to memory… liturgical expressions of thanks and supplication. But you are not, so your prayers are more natural requests, in everyday English. Then, of course, there are the ritualized spontaneous prayers of the Pentecostals, with tears, grimaces, and much repetition of My Name, Jeesuz. Some of these prayers can be quite sincere, even as they follow the style, while others are pretty much “showboat” theatrics.

In My love for diversity I listen to this wide range of styles in addressing Me. Actually the span is from the chanting prayers of the Orthodox to those who are said as naturally as if talking to a good friend, and then on to the loud, emotional, but highly ritualized prayers of evangelists. In the middle, where you and your tradition are, there is some variety still. You are probably the most natural, in tone of voice and in words spoken. In contrast there are those who write their prayers and then offer them word for word, with a delivery tied to their capacity to read with any expression. Another contrast is the pray-er who is so humble that there are long pauses, and the words come out in just above a whisper. I smile at this span of styles, and outside of your culture the diversity is even greater.

In the Scripture lesson I, as Jesus, tell a story of a man who seeks bread from a friend in the middle of the night, finally getting it by persistent asking. I do hear some prayers of petition repeated and repeated, sometimes with great sincerity. If this is about a loved one close to death I seldom respond with an obvious miracle… though occasionally I do respond as the friend in the story, knowing that most often I will be given “credit.” Sometimes I help prolong the life, but the terminal condition persists, and the petitioner may be more distressed than if I allowed death to come naturally.

Mostly, however, even the most fervent and frequent prayers are not answered with the miracle requested because that’s “not how it should be.” I then have to wait for a prayer of acceptance of what has happened, and sometimes that is long in coming.

My favorite prayers, naturally, are those of thanks, for I do intervene in people’s lives and in the affairs of humans, from families up to nations. I don’t do much with weather, for this is all a big interrelated system that is not meant to be wonderfully consistent, in most places. “Bad” weather in one place makes possible “good” weather in others. I do a bit more with money, goods, and food, but My actual help is often not appreciated while others are frustrated and disillusioned when I don’t seem to fulfill their petitions.