subject: Teach Us To Pray In A Way That Makes A Difference [print this page] Teach Us To Pray In A Way That Makes A Difference
Standing just inches tall, the ancient marble statue is almost two thousand years old. Placed inside the Cleveland Museum of Art the piece is simply called "Jonah Praying." The prophet is engaging in one of the most natural and most mysterious endeavors. Indeed, even after spending months with Jesus the disciples' request was, "Teach us to pray."
Following are some of the most meaningful petitions I have found that can help enrich or even begin your own entrance into this mystery.
What is perhaps my favorite prayer comes from Sojourner Truth, a former slave who shared in a moment of struggle in the nineteenth century, "Oh, God, you know how much I am distressed, for I have told you again and again. If you were in trouble, as I am, and I could help you, as you can me, think I wouldn't do it? Yes, God, you know I would do it."
Indeed, that is the boldness Jesus told people to have. In Luke he shares a parable about a persistent widow who continually brings her plea before a judge. The judge consents to her request, "lest she wear me out." The phrase used refers to a boxing match in which one is repeatedly hit with blows below the eye. Jesus assures us that God welcomes such determination.
Then there are the heartfelt words of 17th century Scottish reformer, Samuel Rutherford, who wrote from his jail cell that daily his cry was, "Lord Jesus, come and conquer me!"
While teaching at Yale Henri Nouwen set aside a time every morning in the midst of his busy schedule to speak to God. Sometimes things just didn't seem to click in those moments and he would simply say, "Lord this was my prayer, even all this confusion. Now I'm going back to the world."
At another time Nouwen wonderfully shared, "Let me never forget that your name is Love."
Then there was Queen Mary of Scotland (1542-1587) who prayed, "Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed. And, O Lord God, let us not forget to be kind!"
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) is known for having one of the deepest prayer lives in all of history. She offered, "May you be blessed forever, Lord, for not abandoning me when I abandoned youfor loving me more than I love myselffor continuing to pour out your blessings even though I respond so poorlyfor repaying our sin with your love."
In the end we learn to pray be praying, but others experiences can help us in the school of learning. May our hearts be inspired by the words others have left behind as well as the unspoken thoughts of our own hearts. And may we continue to grow by simply requesting, "Lord, teach us to pray."
As Leonard Cohen shares, "Prayer is translation. A man translates himself into a child asking for all there is in a language he has barely mastered."
