PRAYERFUL

The scriptures make reference to praying without ceasing. It is very intimate idea in terms of one’s relationship with the Lord, but I doubt any of us would be able to nothing, but pray constantly.

I recall how by one tradition, James, the one said to be the brother of Jesus and head of the Jerusalem church was reputed to have spent so much time in prayer on his knees that he was nicknamed, “Camel Knees.” I have no idea if that was true or fiction, but it is an interesting image.

The question to me is really what is prayer? I think you could certainly get all kinds of opinions on that question, but in reality isn’t it the dialogue we lift up to the Lord? And does it have to be a formal “Dear Lord…” type of dialogue?

I have this one friend who is a believer and is constantly going through this roller coaster of spiritual experiences. At one point the person decide to “lecture” me on the importance of prayer. The person never even asked about my style of prayer, but had decided that real pray was a constantly dialogue with the Lord where you didn’t do anything and I mean anything without praying first. I do recall a few weeks later when I spoke to the person that this was no longer mentioned so I think the flame of enthusiasm had been exhausted by that point.

To me, I know that God knows our heart and thoughts. I think of prayerful as more than sitting down and lifting up some formal prayer. If we have a relationship with our lord, then pray to me includes those moments when we manage to see him in whatever we are doing. For isn’t the essence of prayer when we are communicating and wouldn’t keeping the Lord foremost in our minds be part of that situation.

What amazes me is they way some people want to use praying in public as a form of showing off. It is their way of showing off or at least it can be the motivation.

And there are other people who honestly feel very uncomfortable saying a prayer in a public setting. I think it is sometimes hinted that such people are “spiritual” enough. Yet, where is it written that we all are possessed of the gift of speaking in public.

Plus the other thing I find interesting is how a person can one second be venting in some sinful manner and the next praying as if they never had a bad thought. It is as if they are so spiritual that the Lord doesn’t see their carnal side. And sadly you never hear such people utter a single word of humility or praise for forgiveness in their prayers. Oh they might utter some comment about others needing such qualities, but never themselves.

Prayerful to me is the way of the faith that flows naturally and isn’t forced. It respects that timing is something relevant to the sincerity of a prayer. That for me means not just doing something out of habit, but out of desire. Some will never graduate from thinking God’s ears can listen to more than our lips. They will always be victims of their spiritual prejudice. Hopefully we learn to pray always for the right reasons.