The topic of prayer is vast in its scope and diverse in its practice. If you go to any book store or look online the amount of information out there about prayer is overwhelming.

What I hope to offer here is an opportunity for people to talk about their understanding of prayer; offer some wonderful authors and books about prayer; share some basic information about types of prayer; and present you with opportunities to deepen your own prayer life.

What is being offered here online is the result of a group meeting at Mountain View to share and learn together on Wednesday mornings from 10-11:30am. What you are reading is a result of those meetings and an attempt to share what is presented at our gatherings. I hope, through this course, that you will feel a part of that group even though you are unable to be with us physically.  

I invite you to read the following first session and reflect on the questions. Perhaps you can share with someone you feel comfortable talking with about your spiritual journey, and certainly feel free to be in touch with me. Consider keeping a journal about your journey. 

As you work through the sessions found online we will create our own community and conversations, welcoming the spirit into this new endeavour.

What questions do you have about prayer? Other’s responses have included things like: How should we pray prayers of intercession? I don’t like the grocery list approach but what else is there?  If you want, you can email me your questions and we will be able to work through them as well. 

By way of introduction I would invite you to consider prayer from three different perspectives: self, tradition, and scripture. 

Each one of us has been exposed to prayer. Our parents, grandparents or other significant adults may have taught you about prayer. We have learned about prayer by watching others pray, we may have learned from our churches growing up. We have been exposed to prayer in many ways and in many places. Each one of our lives is a resource of experience and wisdom and whenever we begin to explore new ideas, we start from what we already know.

Spend some time reflecting on the following questions. Write your thoughts in your journal or share these questions with someone with whom you can talk about prayer. Take your time reflecting. Prayer is like rain falling on the earth; it sinks in and around and goes deep within us. In order to learn from our lives and experiences it is important to take time to listen to the wisdom within ourselves, it cannot be rushed.

o       What is your earliest memory of prayer? What do you remember about it? What was helpful about it and what was not so helpful about it?

o       What is your current image of prayer? What do you think of when someone says “prayer”?

o       Name places or practices you presently use when you pray.

o       Do you feel a connection with God when you are in prayer?

o       What feeds you in prayer? What do you do now that helps you connect with God?

o       How do you pray? This question begins to ask the question what is prayer. We will get to that more next week but be aware that there are many ways to pray especially if you consider that there are many different goals in prayer.

In the United Church of Canada we have a document called The Basis of Union which sets down in words a very basic and general overview of what we believe. This was written in 1925 by a joint committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Methodist Church, and the Congregational Churches of Canada. Article 2.13 is about prayer and it states: “We believe that we are encouraged to draw near to God, our Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and on our own behalf and that of others to pour out our hearts humbly yet freely before Him, as becomes His beloved children, giving Him the honour and praise due His holy name, asking Him to glorify Himself on earth as in Heaven, confessing unto Him our sins, and seeking of Him every gift needful for this life and for our everlasting salvation. We believe also that, inasmuch as all true prayer is prompted by His Spirit, He will in response thereto grant us every blessing according to His unsearchable wisdom and the riches of His grace in Jesus Christ.” (Basis of Union article 2.13 of the 2007 Manual)

o       Does this perspective on prayer mean anything to you? Where does it speak to your understanding of prayer and where is it so foreign that it offers nothing to your journey? Is there anything you disagree with?

o       There is also such a thing as “rote” prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer, Psalms, and certain table graces. Prayers that are memorized and recited over and over again can be very meaningful. When do you find             those mentioned above to be helpful? Are there other rote prayers that you find great meaning in?

o       Sometimes rote prayers begin to fade in their effectiveness, they just become words alone. The Lord’s Prayer has been translated into many different languages over the years. In our hymn book Voices United (p. 916) there is a paraphrase written by Jim Cotter.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be.

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo

through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed

by peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done

by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and forever. Amen

Spend some time with this paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer what helps you in offering this prayer and what challenges you?

The Bible is full of references to prayer. I invite you to read the following Gospel readings and see what they can teach you/us about prayer:

Matthew 6:7-15

Luke 11: 1-4

John 17

Ø      After this time of introduction to the topic of prayer and looking at our own lives and what we have learned or absorbed about prayer from others and our tradition and scripture write in your journal what prayer is for you. Why do you pray? What is your goal or purpose in praying?

Ø      As you pray this week take some time to write about what is going on for you when you pray. Do images come up? Do any feelings rise to the surface during prayer (positive or negative)?

Ø      What are some questions and concerns you have about prayer?

As you spend some time focusing on your prayer life, remember that this is a journey that all spiritual beings undertake. There is no expectation that we be perfect in our spiritual life. Any spiritual practice is an opportunity to grow and be challenged by what we learn and what we discover about ourselves. Do not judge yourself or belittle what you discover on this journey – our God is a God of love, compassion, and grace. Jesus showed us that God invites us to go deeper into our relationship with God but there is no end to that, no striving toward a finish line. It is an ongoing ever expanding journey. The life of the spirit is all about learning as we walk with others growing in our relationships, and connecting with God.

Peace to you on your journey.

(Rev) Mary Anningson