Rector’s Daily Reflections
Wednesday 6th March 2024
Learning More About Prayer
Over the last few days, I have been considering the importance of preparing ourselves for a time of prayer. But of course preparing for a time for prayer is only the beginning. What of the content of our prayers? What are we praying about?
Before we look at this question, there is another question which it is good for us to think about. Prayer is not only a noun - it is also a verb. How are we praying? How should we be praying?
Do we pray for people or with people? There is a danger that sometimes our prayers are little more than acts of spiritual arrogance. We are praying “at” people and telling them what they should be doing, or demonstrating our own spiritual superiority. As I write these words, I am reminded of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke chapter 18. You may remember that the Pharisee began his prayers thus ” God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week….” In contrast, the tax collector’s prayer was simply this: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Jesus commended the tax-collector’s prayer, on the grounds that “ all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted”.
There can be a real danger of such spiritual arrogance when we go about praying “for“ someone, without first asking them whether they would like to be prayed for in the first place. And I think it is usually better if we ask someone what they would like us to pray about, rather than just making assumptions about their lives and their priorities.
Prayer can be a double-edged weapon in the spiritual life. Arrogant prayer arising out of spiritual pride can be profoundly destructive. I have had the experience of being prayed “at” and it was profoundly unhelpful! On the other hand, prayer arising out of a spirit of love and humility can be truly wonderful- a transforming experience of the love of God in Jesus Christ, received in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I think God would want our prayers always to be an expression of our love and humility. But is this always the case? How can we be more loving in our prayers? How can our prayers be more about the love of God and less about our own egos?