Thoughts on the writing of prayers.
Growing up I heard of prayers that they need to” just flow from you”. And through my early adult life I felt that I needed to not have as the Anglican or Lutheran churches in their books prayers written down. I do feel there is a time for it to flow forth but, after I have grown and studied more my views have shifted.
As in the blessed Gospel of Matthew Christ taught the apostles how to pray and that prayer was written down for us to pray as well (Matthew 6:9-13). I then read the next greatest English book of literature other than the Authorized Version, the Book of Common Prayer of 1662. Just reading the prayers in the BCP touched me. Imagining that these prayers being lost to time saddens me. One of those prayers is ‘For Joy in God’s Creation’…
O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is something about this prayer that pulls at my soul. This has lead to me writing and ‘refining’ my prayers. I am coming to the Lord of lords, I feel my petition should show the love and care He has shown me in my shame.
I do however know the fear that those in my earlier years warned me of. Vain repetition that has no meaning. We must guard ourselves that we do not pray these prayers with no meaning to ourselves. I too have just uttered a prayer out of habit rather than humbling myself in His Presence. I must watch myself to make sure my petitions are humbly and respectfully uttered towards the King of kings.
As stated above there are times we just need to ‘let it flow from our soul’ however I do feel we neglect how the ancients would write and refine the prayers they would utter.
I pray the Lord pricks my heart to always utter in reverence to the Creator of all things.
Scripture on prayer.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:5-8
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 25:41
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16
Thank you for reading.
A. T. Sully
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