PENTECOST XIX
October 16, 2022
“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
Do you ever feel that your prayers aren’t very good? Or they just aren’t good enough? As Lutherans, we participate in formal prayer at worship, much of it based on scriptural texts or directly connected to our basic beliefs. As we begin our worship service, we prayerfully confess our sins, as the lessons and Gospel are read, we thank God for his Word, and as we prepare to receive Holy Communion, the liturgy is filled with thanks and praise to God.
In many ways, our liturgy, many hymns, and often the scripture readings have a prayerful nature, and create a path for us to follow as we need to pray personally. Of course, that’s where we tend to bump up against a bit of a barrier, which is our own creation. We’re just not that confident or sure about praying on our own. Reading along, hearing familiar voices around us, comfortable in our “usual” pew in church — that’s the kind of praying we find relatable.
If we’re looking for guidance, although not necessarily a pre-printed prayer, consider looking through the Psalms, the Gospels, and several of the letters written by the early Apostles to the new churches. The authors of the Psalms thank and praise God for all their blessings, cry out in fear and anxiety, ask questions and reflect on their relationship with their Lord. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell of the disciples observing Jesus in prayer and asking him to teach them to pray, also. As he taught them the Lord’s Prayer, he gave them the foundation of how to relate to God in prayer. In Matthew 6, Jesus told the disciples not to pray with empty phrases, thinking that many words will make them be heard, but to keep in mind that “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (v, 8)
The practice and discipline of a prayer life can be a challenge — but why not stretch those spiritual muscles and make something of an effort? I’ve kept a list of prayer concerns from time to time, and need to get back to it. Yes, God knows those for whom I pray, knows that for which I’m grateful as well as my concerns, but intentionally praying for the well-being and comfort of people by name is a unique experience. As we stop and think about it, we might even realize that our prayers for others also benefit us, as we trust in our heavenly Father’s love and understanding.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” “But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.” (Psalm 94:19, 22)
Whether we are burdened with loss and sorrow or filled with joy and celebration, we are blessed to be in relationship with our Father in heaven. We always pray in the assurance that his love and compassion have no limits.
Assured and comforted,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers