How do you define prayer for yourself? What does it mean ~ or not ~ for you in everyday life?
A reflection by Christina Brennan Lee for May 19, 2024.
Some of us have come to the Episcopal Church from other Christian denominations that have taught us the words to pray such as The Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, etc. Not all of us have readily known how to pray without using words we had to memorize at an early age. Some have had a freedom to say whatever they wanted out loud all the time in prayer in church and out. And we do use already written prayers in our Liturgy ~ our Sunday Service ~ but there is always some room for personal expression. But, as we don’t regularly use our Book of Common Prayer (BCP), there is much to learn about what prayer is and the types of prayer.
If you don’t have your own BCP, come a little early some Sunday and turn to page 845 for An Outline of the Faith, also known as the Catechism.
There is great information on various teachings ~ though not a complete statement of belief or even requirements. But skip to page 856 to read about Prayer and Worship. Another Sunday open to page 814 and on through page 841 for Prayers and Thanksgivings and I guarantee you will find something to push you along to the words that you will think of to use on your own.
Meanwhile how do you usually think about prayer? There are many ways to pray ~ some use formally constructed prayers written by others as mentioned above, some pray spontaneously in turns in a group. Some pray in silence and alone. What are the reasons for your prayers ~ intercessory (on behalf of others), thanksgiving (for blessings in life), petition (request for yourself), penitence (you’re sorry for something), or simply to give praise to God without asking or expecting a return? How do you want to pray? Step one: Dear God, Jesus, and/or Holy Spirit [fill in the rest here]…
One of my favorite quotes about prayer is from a 14th century woman known to us today as Dame Julian of Norwich.
Norwich is about 100 miles northeast of London and if you are from England you would call it “Nahritch” rather than Nor-Witch as we say here. Julian, or Juliana ~ no history of her birth name exists ~ was an anchoress, a hermit who lived in a monastic cell permanently attached [anchored] to the Church of St. Julian in Norwich. Although living in seclusion, her cell had a window into the church though which she would attend daily Mass and receive Communion. People also spoke with her as one would with a Spiritual Director as she was considered a spiritual authority in her own time and one of the greatest of all mystics to our own day. Having had mystical experiences called “showings” that she wrote down, one of her manuscripts is thought to be the oldest surviving book written in English by a woman. But about that prayer quote…
Have you had those days, those times in life, those weeks that may stretch into longer periods that no words come to mind that even pretend to be prayer? Julian says, essentially: Pray anyway. To be specific she says:
“Pray inwardly, even if it seems to give you no pleasure. It is bringing great benefit, even if you do not perceive it. Pray inwardly, even if you sense nothing, see nothing, even if you think you are achieving nothing. For it is in dryness and emptiness, in sickness and weakness, that our prayer pleases Christ most.”
Here is my prayer:
Dear God,
Sometimes I find it difficult to know what to say to You even though I don’t seem to have a problem talking to anyone else. What words are best? What should I be saying? Do the words matter?
For today, I will give up trying to pray the way I think is correct and take on speaking to You from my heart with whatever words or if only thoughts arrive. I will pray to share sacred space with You, much more often. Is it true that I can be transformed by engaging with You regularly? That feels a little dangerous but, You are God, what better danger can there be?
Amen.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Every week, Christina Brennan Lee writes the Prayers of the People we use in our worship services on Sundays. She also leads weekday prayer services and serves on the SsAM Vestry. Click here to see her People’s Prayers website.
