Why do you pray?

Why do you pray? People often ask that question as they or people important to them, explore or question new understandings of God. When gathered together and when alone, people of faith spend a lot of time praying. Why? What do we seek and/or expect and what are we doing? I spend time daily in personal or private prayer for two primary reasons.

First, I pray in order to receive the embrace of God. We always live and move in God, but are not always aware of God. In prayer, silence, scripture, and varied devotional aids and practices help me to be still and received into God. I hope that doing that intentionally at specific times will help me to do it more often amidst the warp and woof of daily living. Such prayer is its own reward. Even without profound feelings or experiences, the time apart refreshes the soul. Two favorite quotations address this aim of prayer. One comes from Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel: "Of all things we do prayer is the least expedient, the least worldly, the least practical. This is why prayer is an act of self-purification. This is why prayer is an ontological necessity." The other comes from George Arthur Buttrick: "Jesus, praying all night on his lonely mountain, did not claim to have found the Purpose. He made a vaster claim -- that the Sovereign Purpose had found him." I pray to be found by God, in whom my being resides.

Second, I pray in order to connect with others. I do not always know how to be a good husband, father, grandfather, pastor, friend, etc. Uplifting people and situations dear and/or important to me deepens my awareness of who, what and how I have the call and the capacity to be. I believe that God, who is present in all relationships, guides and girds that. Sometimes I feel inadequate or helpless. Prayer provides something positive to do while seeking guidance on other actions to take. Several studies indicate that others can benefit from our prayers on their behalf. That deepens hope. Sometimes I forget my blessings. Prayer for those around me awakens and deepens gratitude. Here again I have two favorite quotations. Pierre-François de Bethune muses: "Prayer is ... the shortest route between two people. When two people pray, God is not a third: God is the First, welcoming the one and the other." John Calvin points to such prayers with a prayer of his own: "Save us, Lord, from being self-centered in our prayers, and teach us to remember to pray for others. May we be so caught up in love for those for whom we pray, that we may feel their needs as keenly as our own, and pray for them with imagination, sensitivity, and knowledge. We ask this in Christ's name..."

Why do you pray? That's a good question to ponder on our Lenten journey, and an even better response to put into action.

Grace and Peace,

LP