Prayer ... Help me. Help me. Help me.

I've been asked to write 150-250 words on prayer. When 250 was suggested, I laughed ... so the request was lowered to 150. I laughed because 250 would be difficult ... as a limit!

So ... prayer. What is prayer?

prayer [prair] noun 1. a devout petition to God or an object of worship; 2. a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession; 3. the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship; 4. a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying.

I have discovered that I am generally in a constant state of prayer. I certainly don't mean this to sound haughty or superior in any way ... it's just that I am in constant conversation with God. I need God. I do love that I have possibly, remotely "risen to the occasion" for the Apostle named Paul ... who suggested that the Thessalonians "pray without ceasing." Somehow, I think this is what he meant: To be in constant communion [communication] with your Creator. That's comforting. Constant communion with my Creator.

But, to quote a dear friend and fellow widow (how's that for a statement full of emotional conflict?), "Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me." That was her prayer throughtout the last months of her husband's illness and probably the first two or three years of her life without him following his death. I remembered! and I pray it, too! Thank you for sharing your simple, humble, powerful prayer, sweet friend.

It reminds me of a Sunday School class led by another dear friend years ago ... a class on Prayer. He was a former Jesuit-turned Presbyterian. Not really such a leap, when you think about it -- critically. Anyway, he talked to us about the rote prayers that he learned throughout his life that continued to put him in a state of prayerfulness -- of reverence. One, of course was the "Our Father." I never knew it by that name ... to me, it was always the Lord's Prayer. I learned the Lord's Prayer at a very early age ... probaby 2 or 3. I remember lying in bed with my little sister in the bed next to me, listening to the murmuring coming from our older sister's room. Our mother was saying prayers with her, but it was sure taking a lot longer for her than it ever did for us to say our little "Now I lay me down to sleep ..." prayer! We were curious and wanted to know what the heck! Our mother told us that she said a different prayer with her. Well, we wanted to learn it! I suppose we didn't want to be left behind ... or simply wanted a little more of our mother's time and attention when we didn't really want to go to sleep yet. Whatever, she relented and taught us the Lord's Prayer.

The second prayer that my friend shared with our adult Presbyterian class was a version of the Kyrie. As you might imagine, if you are hip to the nuances of the Presbyterian mindset versus the Catholic mindset (not the "universal" thing, the denomination thing), some in our class were a little hestitant to open their hearts to this Kyrie, but I loved it immediately. "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on my soul." Wow. What other prayer could possibly be more pragmatic, powerful, meaningful in any time of need? I have used this prayer IN MY DREAMS when I felt threatened by some form of evil. It comforted me on two levels: First, that I was invoking the name of Jesus. Second, that the first thing I did was to fully rely on my Savior. All the doubt we struggle with -- that I struggle with -- in my academic, intellectual ponderings fell away. The first thing I did was call on Jesus. Yipee!

This is already 650 words :-)

But my assignment was given in terms of certain parameters ... what devotionals did I use to direct my prayer life? Ummm.

Yes, I have devotionals all over the place. David brought many of them home -- from Lucado to Nouwen. Streams in the Desert, by Charles Cowman, a gift way back when my mother died ... Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, given to me by a dear friend after David died. But my spiritual disciplines have waned a bit in the last few years and I'm not keeping my devotions. I really try to keep asking God for help -- not just for me, but for my kids, my extended family, my friends, my church family ... those who have asked for or who are simply in need of ... prayer. And I'm really working at remembering to follow-up with thanksgiving for answered prayer. Today, my prayer was, "Thank you, God, for helping me get this stinking bathroom cleaned! and with a glad heart!" See? without ceasing.

I'm really awed by those who keep regular times of prayer and devotion -- who daily read their Bibles and pray over the words, asking for understanding and application. These days, I am thankful for Scripture that returns to my consciousness -- mostly Psalms noting that God is my refuge and strength ... a very help in times of trouble ... Be still and know that I am God. The promise that all things work together for good for those who love God ... or the wonderful words of John reminding me that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I don't have a lot of Scripture memorized, but some of these biggies stay with me. God's word is in my heart, mind and soul -- always. Like a prayer. Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on my soul.