Prayer
Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) • Psalm 33
Mal. 3:13-4:6 • James 5:13-20 • Luke 18:9-14
There are so many reasons why we pray. Sometimes it is prayers of praise and thanksgiving as we come out of a time of darkness and anxiety. Thanksgivings for healing and deliverance connect us. Often it is prayers of intercession for ourselves, for others, for the environment, for our country, the world.
And there are so many ways to pray. And so many times and occasions when we pray. My most frequent prayer is “Bless me” when I stub my toe or bump my elbow – again! We pray when we are alone. As I think of someone during the day, I just pray “God be with __.” Centering Prayer has been my favorite way to pray for over 30 years – especially when I can combine it with Lectio Divina. I found this prayer in a church in England over 35 years ago that I use before prayer.
I weave a silence upon my heart, my mind, my hands.
Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm.
Still me, O Lord, and keep me from harm.
Let all the tumult within me cease.
Enfold me, Lord, in your Peace.
Amen.
But there are times when Centering Prayer isn’t possible. I discovered the way of Celtic prayer which incorporates prayer with daily activity. I don’t often use the prayer for milking a cow, but the following is a favorite when going about my morning routine.
Bless to me, O God each thing that mine eye sees.
Bless to me, O God each thing that mine ear hears.
Bless to me, O God each odor that goes to my nose.
Bless to me, O God each taste that goes to my lips.
Each note that goes to my song.
Each ray that guides my way.
Each thing that I pursue.
Each lure that temps my will.
Each zeal that seeks my living soul.
The Three that seek my heart.
We pray in community with others. Centering Prayer and other forms of meditation are often done in groups. The Daughters of the King are a group that prays – not always together. We pray in community of our family when we say grace before a meal. We pray in community when we can gather in church.
We pray without words, in our own words, using Bible passages, with prayers we have found along our life’s journeys, and from the rich resource of the Book of Common Prayer.
May the blessing of prayer be yours and well may it enfold you.
Written by Jacqui Brandli
Praying for many things in many ways.