I did a public prayer for the first time in ages recently and it was weird. Weird in the sense that there are certain factors that you consider when you do a public prayer that you might not consider in a private closet prayer. In as much as it’s a prayer to God on behalf of the people, it’s still a public utterance that the public are likewise processing and consuming. For the church background from which I come it’s important so that the relevant noises can be made in agreement with the aspects of the prayer.
So when I’m doing the prayer I’m looking to be as genuine as possible, no need to put on a pretence or a performance. It’s not an exercise in eloquence and bible memory, it’s still prayer.
Can I confess something, though? Sometimes I’ve been guilty of turning the prayer into a performance. Sometimes it is about eloquence and saying the right ‘spiritual’ catchphrases that will get the people ‘in agreement’ with what I’m saying. Sometimes it’s even been a pretence. I don’t feel like praying publicly. I don’t know what to say and stuck in a position I lack the courage to just confess I’m not up to praying.
Whilst rummaging through these issues recently, I was reminded of the scenario that Jesus paints in Luke 18:9-14 with the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Here the Pharisee offers his spiritual CV to God and even suggests that as a result he’s on top of his game unlike some of the unlikely lads that have found themselves praying at that very time. Meanwhile the tax collector doesn’t beat about the bush and throws himself on the mercies of God. Jesus suggests that the first guy isn’t even communicating with God, whereas the other dude has hit the bullseye and comes away made right.
It’s almost as if Jesus is suggesting, this is a real prayer. This is the kind of prayer that God can accept. It fits because it’s based on who God is, who we are and what we need to make the communication work. That recognition opens the door to being real. I am in the process of putting together a blog series on prayer later on, but I wanted to bring it up now whilst it was still fresh in my mind that the secret life of prayer can help in the public life of prayer. The real deal in corporate settings is being a place where people can see real prayer taking place. Sure – life-changing prayer, fervent prayer, Word-based prayer, praise-filled prayer. At the same time it’s got to be real (as Cheryl Lynn put it in another context).
For those who aren’t as literate or as ‘scripture-filled’ as others they are more than capable of offering real prayer because it is simply based on that centred point of how their relationship with God takes place in the first place. Something so graceful and merciful puts us in complete dependence on God who sees and knows all, so we can go with our request and also do so in an honest and vulnerable style. No need for the pretense, or performance, or pressure of any kind and that which comes from the inside is rewarded in line with God’s will for our lives.
If that real prayer involves anger then we shouldn’t hide it. If that real prayer includes being upset and sad, then we should be allowed to express that. If that real prayer involves a sense of confusion and being unsure of what He wants from us, that should be released. Even if that real prayer involves … dare I say it … humour, then why should that be censored?
Just wondering.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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