practice of prayer

174 prayer practiceMany of you know when I travel, I want to express my greetings in the local language. I'm happy to go beyond a simple "hello". Sometimes, however, a nuance or subtlety of the language confuses me. Although I have learned a few words in different languages ​​over the years and some Greek and Hebrew in my studies, English remains the language of my heart. So it is also the language in which I pray.

As I reflect on prayer, I remember a story. There was a man who wished to pray as best he could. As a Jew, he was aware that traditional Judaism emphasizes praying in Hebrew. As an uneducated he did not know the Hebrew language. So he did the only thing he knew to do. He repeated in his prayers again and again the Hebrew alphabet. A rabbi heard the man pray and asked him why he did it. The man answered, "The Holy One, blessed be he, knows what is in my heart, I give him the letters and he puts the words together."

I believe God heard the man's prayers because the first thing God cares about is the heart of the one who prays. Words are also important because they convey the meaning of what is being said. God who is El Shama (the God who hears, Psalm 17,6), hears the prayer in all languages ​​and understands the intricacies and nuances of each prayer.

When we read the Bible in English, it is easy to miss some subtleties and nuances of the meaning that the Biblical primordial languages ​​convey in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. For example, the Hebrew word Mitzwa is typically translated into the English word bid. But from this perspective, one is inclined to see God as a strict disciplinarian, administering burdensome rules. But Mitzvah testifies that God blesses and privileges His people, not burdened. When God gave his mitzvah to his chosen people, he first established the blessings that bring obedience, as opposed to the curses that come from disobedience. God told his people, "I want you to live this way, that you have life and bless others." The chosen people were honored and privileged to be in league with God and eager to serve Him. Graciously she instructed God to live in this relationship with God. From this relationship perspective, we should also tackle the subject of prayer.

Judaism interpreted the Hebrew Bible to mean that formal prayer was required three times a day, and additional times on the Sabbath and the feast days. There were special prayers before meals and after changing clothes, washing hands, and lighting candles. There were also special prayers when something unusual was to be seen, a majestic rainbow or other exceptionally beautiful events. When the paths crossed with a king or other fees or when major tragedies occurred, such as B. a fight or earthquake. There were special prayers when something exceptionally good or bad happened. Prayers before going to bed in the evening and after getting up in the morning. Although this approach to prayer could become ritual or a nuisance, the intention was to facilitate constant communication with the One who watches over and blesses his people. The apostle Paul adopted this intention when he was in 1. Thessalonians 5,17 Christ's follower admonished: "Never stop praying". To do this is to live life with conscientious purpose before God, to be in Christ and to unite with Him in service.

This relationship perspective does not mean to forego fixed prayer times and not to approach him in a structured manner in prayer. A contemporary said to me, "I pray when I feel inspired." Another said, "I pray when it makes sense to do this." I think both comments overlook the fact that ongoing prayer is an expression of our intimate relationship with God in everyday life. This reminds me of Birkat HaMazon, one of the most significant prayers in Judaism, which is said at ordinary meals. It refers to 5. Mose 8,10where it says: "Then when you have plenty to eat, praise the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you." When I have enjoyed a delicious meal, all I can do is be thankful to God who gave it to me. Increasing our God consciousness and God's role in our daily life is one of the great purposes of prayer.

If we only pray when we feel inspired to do so, if we already have knowledge of God's presence, we will not increase our awareness of God. Humility and awe of God don't come to us just like that. This is another reason to make prayer a daily part of communicating with God. Notice that if we are to do anything well in this life, we must keep practicing prayer even if we don't feel like it. This is true of prayer, as well as playing sports or mastering a musical instrument, and last but not least, becoming a good writer (and many of you know that writing is not one of my favorite activities).

An orthodox priest once told me that in the old tradition he crosses himself during prayer. The first thing he does when he wakes up is to give thanks for living another day in Christ. Crossing himself, he ends the prayer by saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Some say this practice originated under the care of Jesus as a replacement for the Jewish practice of wearing phylacteries . Others say it was created after Jesus' resurrection. With the sign of the cross, it is short for Jesus' atoning work. We know for certain that it was a common practice in the years AD 200. Tertullian wrote at the time: "In everything what we undertake, we make the sign of the cross on our foreheads. Whenever we enter or leave a place; before we dress; before we bathe; when we take our meals; when we light the lamps in the evening; before we go to sleep; when we sit down to read; before each task we draw the sign of the cross on the forehead."

While I am not saying that we must adopt any special prayer rituals, including crossing ourselves, I urge that we pray regularly, consistently, and unceasingly. This gives us many helpful avenues to discern who God is and who we are in relation to Him so that we can always pray. Can you imagine how our relationship with God would deepen if we thought and worshiped God upon waking in the morning, throughout the day, and before we fall asleep? Acting in this way will certainly help to consciously “walk” the day mentally with Jesus.

Never stop praying,

Joseph Tkach

President GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL


PS: Please unite with me and many other members of the Body of Christ in prayer for the loved ones of the victims who died in a shooting during a prayer meeting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina are. Nine of our Christian brothers and sisters were murdered. This shameful, hateful incident shockingly shows us that we live in a fallen world. It shows us clearly that we have a mandate to pray fervently for the ultimate coming of the kingdom of God and for the second coming of Jesus Christ. May we all intercede in prayer for the families who are suffering from this tragic loss. Let's also pray for the AME church. I marvel at the way they responded, based on grace. A love and forgiveness revealed to be generous in the midst of overwhelming grief. What a tremendous testimony of the gospel!

We also include all people in our prayers and intercessions who are suffering from human violence, illness or other hardships these days.


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