New Reminders: Prayer
by Ardith Hoff
Prayer can be defined as an act of communication by human beings with the sacred. It may be with God, “the gods”, the universe, the transcendental realm or any higher power. Prayer has been practiced in all known religions, in all times, using various forms and techniques.
Some people, who are agnostic, might call it meditation, a time apart to allow one’s own internal reasoning to enlighten them. However, it is practiced, prayer provides a quiet time for reflection that can have a calming effect. It allows the person to get outside themselves and their day-to-day activities to gather their thoughts or even to escape them. Turning one’s problems, or even one’s feelings of gratitude, over to a higher power can provide relief from the burdens of responsibility that we all feel.
Christians are generally taught that God will personally intervene in our lives. Some people visualize God’s hand literally manipulating events. Others believe that God enables the person themself, or those around him, to accomplish what the petitioner has requested. For example, when a loved one goes in for surgery, we might pray that the surgeon’s hands are steady, in order to accomplish the hoped-for outcomes.
In many religions, prayer is supplemented with sacrifice. The reasons behind that part of the practice most likely originated as a primitive belief that it would please the sacred being if they showed their sincerity by sacrificing something of value. That has evolved into our present-day practice of offering money at church services because money represents our most valuable assets. We justify this practice by using the funds to “do God’s work” through the church.
How, and why, we pray, is a personal decision, but it seems to be natural and beneficial for those who do it, especially in times of desperation. Whether prayers are spontaneous or ritualized, the act itself can engender feelings of relief and satisfaction, or even elation, unlike any other action.
It causes us to humble ourselves and admit that we need something or someone to accept and attend to our needs and feelings.
Jesus said that prayer should be a private time between God and the worshiper. Jesus did not mean that it is wrong to pray with others, but that prayers should be sincere and for the right motives. Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men… but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.” Matthew 6:5-8. "…In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6