Faith Venture

My wife was raised in a Baptist church. They taught her you don’t “say” prayers. You pray from the heart.

I learned that while they may not be “saying” the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father) they still had formulas or templates for prayers.

To me, it was a moot point.

Last night I contemplated what goes through my mind as we pray the Lord’s Prayer during church service.

I turn the center of my attention toward God.

I contemplate the meaning of the Kingdom being around me and in me.

I am thankful for that which sustains me every day—food, shelter, people.

I feel forgiveness and think of those I need to forgive.

What temptations drew my attention yesterday?

I am thankful for protection from evil temptations that arise from within.

My attention returns to center on God.

And I agree with God as God intended.

I’m sure there are times we recite the words from memory with just the comfort of ritual. As for me, I like the series of reminders of that which is important. It’s a good way to start and end a day.

Years of teaching Yoga classes taught me to observe form. A proper form yields anticipated results. Improper form at best helps little and at worst leads to injury.

I’ve watched some people at the resistance training machines at my gym. Many move the weight in short and jerky movements. They are obtaining minimal results.

Others use long and smooth movements. They may explode up and slowly return. This movement gives the lifter maximum muscle benefit. Stretching afterward will not be required because they have already moved the muscle in its complete cycle.

Prayer life emulates these actions.

Perhaps we just have short exclamations of prayer as we remember something or see someone.

Perhaps we sit for a regular and sufficiently long period of time. That may only be 5 minutes or 15 minutes. But it could be long enough to stretch the prayer muscle.  Repetition leads to benefits of stronger prayer, better relationship with God, and even health benefits of reduced stress.