This
week I had four different occasions to sense the priority of prayer and to
reflect on prayer.
I
was at an interfaith meeting this week and the theme was ‘the power of prayer’
– where each faith representative explained the understanding of prayer from
their own religious faith experience. I gathered at that meeting that God
doesn’t need our prayers, but we humans need prayers to encounter God. There I
also recognised, the kind of God we believe determines the kind of prayer we
say, and the kind of prayer we say defines the kind of God we believe. An interesting experience.
On
Friday, I was at the climate strike at St. Peter’s square in Manchester joining
the global wave of strikes demanding justice for climate emergencies organised
by the Youth strike 4 climate, where tens and thousands of people gathered in
solidarity for climate justice. We as faith communities, as Methodists were
part of this strike. I have heard the speeches of anger by young people. At the
stroke of 1pm – all alarms went off – to symbolise that time’s up – act now for
climate – a wake up call for climate emergency. As I reflect on it, I realised
that protest as a prayer, which stemmed out of anger against the system and
policies – to save the planet. I also realised that prayer is a wake-up call to
attend the climate emergency. And prayer is action – for the youth demand
“action now.” Yet another interesting experience.
On
Saturday in the morning, I attended the Heatons Prayer breakfast – a time of
prayer early in the morning at 8am. The leader, who led it divided the time
into four slots – asking people to pray in praise of God for the good things, -
pray for other churches and the community in Heatons – pray for the government,
council and for those in power and authority – and pray for the Christian
initiatives in and around Stockport. It was a corporate prayer – a time joining
with other Christian believers in prayer – praying for common concerns –
praying as a time of fellowship – prayer expressing our Christian commitment. A
good experience to join in prayer early in the morning with tea and breakfast.
On
Saturday in the evening, I heard a friend of mine Ebi preach at our Indian
Christian fellowship – his testimonial – his story – his faith in God – how God
listens to his prayers and answered him at every step of his life. For him, if
prayer is speaking to God, reading the Word is God speaking to him – and he
emphasised that both those are very key for our discipleship. For him in any
situation and in every situation – prayer is the priority – and his faith is
God answers. Ebi said, if you pray you need to act – demonstrate love in
action. It allowed me to reflect on the strength of prayer.
All
of these incidents – in line with the lectionary for this week from 1 Timothy
2: 1-7, which again was a passage read at the Prayer breakfast yesterday– is a
call for us reminding the priority of prayer for us as a church at a time like
this.
1
Timothy 2 is a very contentious chapter in the Bible, which was received by
people across the theological spectrum – specially with the leadership of women
– but the Church moved on believing in the Spirit of God for God created and
called both men and women equally, for which we rejoice and celebrate about.
Paul
was writing to young Timothy a pastoral letter with certain guidelines for the
life of the church and for his personal spiritual growth. He mentions the
priority of prayer : for he begins this second chapter – “first of all” – it is
not committee meetings, it is not community work, it is not even preparing a
sermon – but urging about the priority of prayer. Many a times we are too busy
with the work of church and work at church or busy with our own life issues –
work – family – holiday etc. I think this morning it is important to set right
the priority which is prayer.
But
what is prayer? – According to Rowan Williams – Prayer is connecting to God, a
time of pause like in holiday, and body responds differently
From
1 Timothy 2: 1-7
1.
The methods of
prayer : there are a varieties of prayer – Supplications, Prayers,
Intercessions and thanksgiving (SPIT) – there is no one size fit for all kinds
of prayer – These are the terms which were part of the local community who were
living under an empire. – a blend of legal and temple terms.
2.
The members of
prayer – for everyone – for all – no distinction in prayer – but a special
mention of kings and those in power – for in that context they were ungodly and
oppressive – whose oppression was unbearable – no peace in that context –
persecutions – so by calling on their memory – Paul was trying to express his
Christian love by praying for them. He explains the purpose of praying where
people can live in peace and harmony.
3.
The mediator in
prayer – Jesus Christ – who died as a ransom for all – so that the knowledge
and truth may we learn – As an intercessor – Jesus again demonstrates love in
action – prayer demands an action – Jesus was an answer to the groans and cries of
all those who were in oppression and in chains as a messiah – who gave himself
as a ransom for all. Prayer demands sacrifice – Prayer demands action.
4.
The ministry of
prayer – Paul calls himself who is a testimony to the truth of Christ – as a
herald, as an apostle and as a truth bearer – those who are in the ministry of
prayer – Prayer is a herald – a public proclamation – Prayer as apostolic – as
one who was sent – including our story – Prayer as truth bearing – speaking
truth to powers
Relevance:
1.
Prayer is a call
to action – Put that priority on – demonstrating love – for our prayers have
become too wordy with quite a rhetoric
2.
Seek the spark of
divine in you for you may be an answer to someone’s prayer
3.
As church we are
called to be a herald of prayer, an apostle of prayer and a truth bearer of
prayer – Time to act now.
I
want to conclude with a prayer written by Paul Coelho – the author of the book
“The Alchemist”
Lord,
protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes
us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist
to one question. And in order for this to be possible…
Lord,
protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us
the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and
another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have
chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by
remorse. And in order for this to be possible…
Lord,
protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be
the result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and
Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order for this to be
possible…
Lord,
protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that,
regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in
our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to
be possible…
Lord,
give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us
to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children, it is what tells us
that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm
that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally
committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible…
Lord,
protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your
miracle. May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue
to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love;
therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the
company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel
enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your
glory.
@rajpatta
22nd
September 2019
