My Dear Friends,
It seems as if the George Herbert was a great hit among you, and has triggered all sorts of memories and explorations into the different things that inspire us to pray.
I remember when I was a Curate in Eastbourne, at least 12 years old, and people would say to me, ‘I don’t need to go to church to pray, I pray while I am walking my dog up on the downs (or something similar). I would think, ‘No you don’t, that is just an excuse. Nobody prays while they are walking their dog!’
Well when I got my dog Clyde, and walked him on the downs, I realised how wrong I had been.
(They should never have let me be a priest!)
It is so important for us to realise that prayer is an attitude of life rather than a specific process that we go through that lasts a certain time, and contains some specific elements. How dull life would be if we only prayed in church, and didn’t find it natural to give thanks for the glory of God when we see a newborn baby, or a magnificent sunset, or the scary view from the top of the Puig Campana, or hear an outstanding piece of music, or fall in love, or receive some good news, or witness a miracle, or recover from an illness, or reflect on the fact that a loved one has gone to heaven, (Heartbreaking for us, but glorious none the less) or walk in the forest, or even eat cake.
These and so many millions of things prompt and inspire us to unpack a little more of our relationship with God, and wonder at his greatness.
Liturgical prayer, like the worship we offer in church is a big part of our life. It is what we do, and the Sacrament of receiving our Communion is the height of the expression of our Common Union with God, and our fellow Christians.
A pattern of prayer, like a rule of life, particularly if it includes Morning and Evening prayer which is so based on words of scripture, helps us to immerse ourselves in the word of God.
Let me briefly remind you of the idea that lies behind the Benedictine style of regular prayer.
Vigils, or sleepy prayers. Observed by those who are awake at night. Use the darkness to simply be with God, aware of his Holy Presence in your quiet hours. Prayer can be simple.
Lauds, or I want to Praise you. Wake to thank and praise (laudate) God. This is the moment to spend time in prayer and contemplation, letting our appreciation of the goodness of God flow.
Prime or Let’s get going. Take a moment to look at your plans for the day, asking God to be with you in all that you do. (The trick is to remember that you have asked God to be with you later in the day, when the going gets tough!)
Terce or that nourishing cup of coffee. Mid morning is break time. Deeply breathe in God’s Spirit and allow yourself to be joyful in his presence as you then return to your tasks.
Sext or What is going on out there? It is now mid day, and time to consider the whole world and it’s needs. Don’t panic. We don’t have to think of, pray for and solve everything! God knows. We take time to spiritually be alongside those issues on our heart today. Other folk will be praying for other things. Between us we have it covered.
None or Homeward bound. In the afternoon we close down our work related activities, or our leisure pursuits, and begin to focus on home. It is a time for forgiving, for asking for forgiveness from God, and for letting go of stuff that gets in the way.
Vespers or Compline. Close the day with peacefulness and prayer. Entrust your life to God until you greet the morning again with joy and thanksgiving.
This Pattern of Prayer has been the backbone of countless lives, and the source of so much spiritual growth. But if you were to speak with someone who practiced it for years, they would, without doubt say two things. The pattern gives them a sense of focus and belonging, and they wouldn’t be without it. And the pattern gives them the freedom to be totally spontaneous outside those ‘Times of prayer’ and they discover that they are ‘In Prayer’ in so many different ways throughout the day that are not part of that pattern.
When we look at the example of Jesus praying we have a very full picture. He prays in the Synagogues and Temples, the liturgical prayer, he also prays by himself, early in the morning, in the middle of the day, and at night. He goes of into the wilderness to pray, sometimes for a very long time. Sometimes he prays right through the night. He prays before major decisions, he prays with and for his disciple. He prays as part of his ministry, and he teaches about prayer.
We will unpack some of that teaching in the next few letters, but let me finish with this.
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer Luke 11.1-4
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Until next time, Bless you, Bless you, Bless you, and pray for me as I do you.
Fr Marcus