When you think of prayer, I wonder what comes to mind?
Perhaps something deeply embedded in your memory, prayed at meals or before bed - “Now I lay me down to sleep…” or “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest...” or “God is great, God is good...”
Perhaps you think of the Lord’s Prayer, so close to your heart that its familiar words roll off your tongue without looking at anything.
Perhaps you recall the variety of prayers included in each worship service.
Perhaps what comes to mind is a familiar pattern to follow, or maybe your go-to is the kind of prayer that is unscripted and extemporaneous.
Perhaps you most often think of prayer as a tool to pull out when something has gone horribly wrong, or maybe it’s more like a daily, comfortable conversation with an old friend.
 |
| Photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash |
In today’s Gospel reading, we overhear Jesus praying for his disciples. They are gathered together on the evening of his arrest, the night before his crucifixion and death. Earlier that evening, they had eaten a meal together, and Jesus washed their feet as a sign of humble service and powerful love. As the evening wore on, Jesus told his disciples he would be with them only a little longer, then launched into what is known as the “Farewell Discourse”. Over three chapters in John’s Gospel, Jesus reminds his disciples of all he has taught them, and promises that when he departs from them, an Advocate, a helper will come.
Finally, Jesus begins to pray - first for himself, then for his disciples (or, “those whom you gave me from the world”), and finally for those who come to believe through the word of his disciples, or in other words, us.
I hope that you’ve had the opportunity to hear someone pray aloud for you, about you, in your presence. It is a vulnerable and powerful thing, and can be such a gift to have your hurts and longings and joys known by another and shared with God on your behalf.
In his prayer, Jesus asks that the ones for whom he prays - his dearest friends, and those in generations to come - would all be one. He prays that we would be connected, united, joined to one another in a way that mirrors the unity of the Triune God.
Jesus prays for this unity, this oneness, and, in so doing, offers us a model for how this might come about.
Indeed, prayer is a uniting force.
When we pray to God, we celebrate the connection and relationship we have with God. This is a God who hears our pleading and heartbreak and joy; a God who welcomes us to call out at any time, with any words, apart from any polished pattern or skilled mediator. Prayer unites us with God.
When we pray for God’s will to be done, we move beyond our individual needs or desires, toward the fullness of God’s desire for all creation. In this prayer, we lay aside our wishes and our need to be in control, humbly asking that God’s will might be done among us. Prayer unites us with God’s will.
When we pray aloud together, we often match the pace and tone of those praying with us. Our disparate small voices are joined together into one voice. This happens most often, perhaps, as we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Even if we’re praying different versions - trespasses, or debts, or sins; “forever and ever” or not - we are still united in these words with which Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Even when we pray this prayer alone, we are still united to one another, for we do not pray “give me this day my daily bread” or “lead me not into temptation” but rather give us, and lead us. Prayer unites us with one another.
When we pray the prayers of intercession, we are united around needs and joys bigger than ourselves. Prayer connects us to the needs of the world. Even if only for a brief moment, the hurts and concerns of others are also ours - things we may not know about, or even particularly care about, but which are the cares and concerns of those with whom we are connected in the Body of Christ.
You may have noticed that while the words are different, the themes of each petition follow a consistent pattern.
Each week we pray for the church - not just this congregation, and not just Lutherans, but God’s church across the world. We pray that God would strengthen and empower us to be witnesses to God’s love and mercy.
We pray for creation, for things like rivers and vegetable gardens we have close to home, but also for deserts and typhoons and manatees, representing the needs of places far beyond our often-limited views.
We pray for leaders of cities and countries, pray for peace and justice, not just here, but everywhere.
We pray for those who are sick and hurting - some names known to us, and others spoken in the silence of hearts, but all known to God.
We pray for this congregation, for our specific needs and cares, often naming those whose work takes place behind the scenes.
And we pray for the saints in light - those of all times and places who have gone before us, who have offered us examples of faithfulness, and with whom we will be united at the great heavenly banquet.
When we pray these prayers, we are united with the world, and with other ELCA congregations who pray in these or similar words in their own worship services.
There is a fledgling group gathering here for prayer, convened by Susan L. There is something empowering about gathering together for this shared purpose. It can also be a vulnerable experience, as many people are not familiar or comfortable with extemporaneous prayer. Be assured – God hears your prayers, whether you speak with polished words, a rambling plea, or just deep sighs. Even the prayer we hear from Jesus in John 17 is a bit repetitive and hard to follow. And, the way to grow more comfortable with this kind of prayer is just to do it!
However we pray, we know that God hears us. In and through prayer we are united with God and with the needs and cares of the world.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus prays that we might be made one, and in his death and resurrection he brings about that unity. We are joined to Christ and to one another in the waters of baptism and in the communion meal. United here, we are strengthened and sent out to be one in the world as well.
Comments
Post a Comment