That word, “prayer”, seems to bring both comfort and terror to people. Terror, because people are afraid of who they might be talking to, afraid of doing it wrong, afraid there is no one to pray to. Comfort because for many, it is having a talk with a Beloved friend, a chance to be heard, or a chance to come clean about what is on a person’s heart.
As I write this, it is 4:45 am and I am at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It is quiet (joyously so), dark and comforting. It is a place of thunderous peace. It is a place where the monks pray for the world. It is a place where life is lived out as a prayer. Whether they are singing the Psalms (beginning at 3:15 am) or making fudge, or fruitcake, or washing dishes or well any act of the day, it is all meant to be prayer.
I guess most people pray out of great need. A sick loved one, a lost job, preparing for death, or out of a sense of duty. All of those are legitimate reasons to pray and yet none of those really fit what prayer should be, a chat with a beloved friend. My wife hates the song, “just a little talk with Jesus” and I tend to agree with her, that song represents cheap prayer. Just tell Jesus and that makes everything alright? Uh, no. While forgiveness and grace are most assuredly found in a “talk” with Jesus, that does not fix things.
My daughter was maybe 8 years old when she apologized for something saying, “I’m sorry”. She had a very expectant look on her face. That look disappeared when I explained that I knew she was very sorry and that I appreciated that but that being sorry did not repair things, it is only the door through which one enters to start the repairs. So, my wife is right I think, a little “talk with Jesus” is bad theology because it is only the opening of a door and few will actually step in and make amends, try to fix it or at least acknowledge their part in whatever has happened.
And yet, “a little talk” with the Creator of the Universe is exactly what we are invited to do. Isn’t that amazing? The Creator, the Sacred, wants nothing more than to spend time with us individually. Just me? Really? But I am not worthy. To that the Eternal says every one of my creations is worthy of my time. The Eternal longs, yes aches to spend time with me. Clearly, the Eternal doesn’t really know what kind of person I am.
Oh yes, the Creator knows exactly what I am. What I am capable of and every failing I have (a rather long list by the way). AND IT DOESN’T MATTER! This last is capitalized for my own benefit. I grew up being taught I am not good enough, not smart enough, not thin enough. The Eternal doesn’t care. I want to be the best, the smartest, the wisest. The Eternal doesn’t care. Love is all that matters to the Eternal. Love of others, love of God, and love of self. It is that last one that most of us cannot do. If you only knew, Sacred One, you would not love me anymore. To that, the response is always, My Grace is enough for you. And so it is!
TMM