When Every Prayer Doesn’t Begin with “Our Father” or End with “Amen”
Sometimes prayer is the way to the answer.
Sometimes prayer is the key that is turned to release the answer.
Sometimes it is the lock that is opened to receive the answer.
Sometimes it is our awe and offering in response to the answer.
But no matter what, in all things and always, prayer is the answer.
“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.”
―C. S. Lewis
Like C. S. Lewis, I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because there is a need in me to do so. Whether to make a petition or intercession, offer contrition or thanksgiving, seek direction or protection, or to express my utter dependence on God, whether in sorrow or celebration, my soul cries out—with or without the words.
After years of trying to find the right formula, the right words, the right way to pray, and attributing undesired outcomes to my failure to “get it right,” I have realized that the power of prayer isn’t nearly as much the result of words we speak when we pray as it is about the attitude with which we pray. It is about our complete trust and confidence in the One to whom we are praying. “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” Hebrews 11:6 tells us. “For anyone who wants to come to God must first believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” The words God already knows: “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4).”
I think God cares more about what our hearts are saying than our words, when we’re praying. So never fail to pray because you don’t know the words to say. Even in the silence, God will hear what the heart has to say. Sometimes the words can even get in the way.
Over the years, I have written some of my insights and observations on prayer, which I will share here in the remainder of this article, but not with the intent to advise, instruct or in any way recommend practices for prayer. My desire is simply to share these insights in hopes that they might broaden your perspectives on prayer, perhaps in ways that may somehow help to enrich your prayer life.
Prayer is like a return to your beloved…one who loves you and awaits you…with joy…not a thing done out of duty or obligation…but with joy and anticipation…with eagerness to share company once more…. Sometimes it is a long awaited return…sometimes returning from a greater distance….sometimes carrying a heavier weight…but knowing…nonetheless…that Your beloved…the One who is the lover and caretaker of your soul…the One who adores you and adores being adored…will be there to welcome you…delights in hearing your voice and speaking to your heart…deep to deep…being in your presence…receiving your praise and petition…providing you rest…and refreshment…making all things well and new…once more…for you. Yes, prayer, at its best…is like spending time with your beloved…loving and being loved!
Even when the utterance of my heart cannot be articulated by tongue and lips to form a single word…or cannot by the human ear be audibly heard…perhaps not even my own…my heart still speaks…in a language that You, O Lord, alone can hear and discern.
Lord, I Thank You that no matter what or how or when I pray, You hear…that the absence of words is no barrier to You…that You can just as easily discern whispers, sighs and even silence when I draw near…to You. Lord, I thank You that in Your mercy, You hear my prayer and answer my heart’s cry.
Staying Charged
We live in a technology-driven world, full of devices to help meet our needs or satisfy some desire. We rely on these devices to give us directions, manage our schedules and keep us connected. From the first click of the morning, however, and with each subsequent click or stroke, their energy supply is being depleted. They constantly need recharging to function as designed.
To keep them operational, we have chargers in our homes, our cars, in our pockets or purses. We become frantic and frustrated when one can’t be found, or when the battery is running low. We fear losing power. Prayer is like those chargers. It allows us immediate access to God, our ultimate power source. Prayer keeps us charged and connected. It gives us power to keep running.
Pray. Without ceasing. It will help you avoid a power outage.
Just Pray
Could it be we worry too much about what we will say,
When all God wants us to do is just pray?
Come into God’s presence
Spend some time, have our say
Come to Him
No matter the place, the time of day
Or the way.
Just pray.
Just pray.
Blue skies or gray
Pray anyway.
If the words are not perfect
That’s okay
What’s perfect anyway?
Don’t worry about posture or position
Kneeling, upright or prostrate lay
Your choice to pray any way.
God is listening for what your heart has to say
Whatever circumstance in life comes your way
God is never farther than a prayer away
Just pray.
Kathy Culmer is an author, Christian educator, professional storyteller, speaker, teacher and retreat leader.
She is author of the 2020 story series for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas: “Moving Forward in Truth: The African American Experience of Episcopalians in the Diocese of Texas.”