So My Friends, we are continuing our wander down the path of prayer. Last time we finished by finding ourselves in a good place with God, because we were hiding nothing, and accepting that we were loved.

Today we will get lost a little bit as we explore ‘What is the point of prayer?’
Let me begin with a lovely true story. I was thinking about my response to a couple who were planning to get married, and they had asked me ‘How do you make sure your marriage lasts forever? It was a huge question, and they were asking the wrong person, so I said I would get back to them. I then posed that very question to some of our church members who had been married for donkey’s years. We did it in a group after one of the Wednesday services at Javea, and between them they said some lovely things. Laugh together, Cry together, Spend quality time together, Make time for each other, Listen, Forgive, Go on adventures, Eat, drink and be merry,  Be open and honest, Trust, Don’t nurse your anger, Remember Love keeps no score of wrongs, Much About, Don’t take everything too seriously…….. The list went on.
There was a discussion about communication. One person said ‘Always communicate’ then another said ‘Be careful what you communicate, because you may be communicating your bitterness or anger which will soon pass!’
Anyway, it was a great and helpful discussion.

On reflection I thought that this was a brilliant introduction to the understanding our relationship with God. We need to treat it exactly the same if we want it to last. 
No relationship can survive if it is too regimented, or based on mere pious practices or just the use of other people’s words or thoughts. There has to be Love, spontaneity, humour and a huge dollop of reality.

The way we pray has a bearing on our relationship with God, and if we want that to blossom and flourish and grow we need it to be real.
As you know, there are many of different ways of praying, and our own style will slowly emerge during your spiritual journey, and be a combination drawn from  a huge range.
There is the Public Prayer we do with others in church. The Eucharist where we give thanks to God for everything that has happened, is happening and will happen to further the Kingdom.
There is the pattern of the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer, which is largely structured around the use of scripture. We immerse ourselves in the bible if we follow these.
There is of course our own pattern of private prayer, sometimes said out loud, sometimes silently in our hearts. During these times we bring before God the things closest to our hearts.
These intentions may include the huge issues of the world and the church, Praying for Leaders and followers alike to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Alongside these may be the simple offerings of whatever is going on in our life.

We may pray as we walk, or cycle, or climb. We may have a set pattern or just send one up to the Big Guy whenever it feels right to do. We may use words or music or art or drama, or food or dance or whatever. Or we may just ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’

There is no right or wrong way. God already knows that our prayer is just part of the stimulation of having a relationship with him, of knowing that we are in his presence.

I used to think I was not very good at it. I still do, but now I believe that that doesn’t matter. It is not some pious competition, it is real life with God. I worry less about it now, and rejoice that God reveals himself constantly in so many different ways.

May I give you some homework. Please read the following incredible poem by George Herbert, and just take some time letting it speak to you. Reflect on the phrases that stand out, and listen to see if you can hear things that make sense to you. Allow your thoughts to be big. 

I shall share some reflections next time.

As ever,

Fr Marcus

PRAYER BY GEORGE HERBERT

Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age,

God’s breath in man returning to his birth,

The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,

The Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth

Engine against th’ Almighty, sinner’s tow’r,

Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,

The six-days world transposing in an hour,

A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;

Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,

Exalted manna, gladness of the best,

Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,

The milky way, the bird of Paradise,

Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul’s blood,

The land of spices; something understood.