Dear Friends
If speaking in public is said to be the number 1 fear among people
today (snakes are number 2) than I am sure praying in public is a close third.
I have been in prayer groups where some people pray little or not at all. Fear
of praying in public keeps their lips silent.
In Nehemiah, God’s Builder, professor Richad Seume tells a
lesson he learned on prayer while in seminary sitting at the feet of his
professor, Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer. It seems that a certain minister was in the
habit of profound prayers, sometimes resorting to words beyond the
understanding of his simple flock. This went on week after week, to the dismay
and frustration of the congregation. At last, a ‘wee’ Scottish woman in the
choir ventured to take the matter in hand. On a given Sunday, as the minister
was waxing his most eloquent verbosity, the little woman reached across the
curtain separating the choir from the pulpit. Taking a firm grasp on the robe
of the minister, she gave it a yank, and was heard to whisper in her Scottish
accent, “Jes call him fether and ask him somethin.”
You and I have probably heard people pray who sound like they have
a ‘steeple in their throat’ or as if they were talking through a stained-glass
window. The Pharisees were like that. They sought to impress people with their
many words, spoken in pious tones. They were a sham. They didn't realize that
it was not the words they uttered that were important, but the spirit with
which they were uttered.
It makes me think of the story about the author who needed money
and wired his publisher, “How much advance will you pay me for my latest novel
of 50,000 words?”
The publisher wired back, “How important are the words?” I like
that! Some of the words that are spoken in prayer, like that praying Scottish
pastor, are not very important.
Prayer is simply the words of a friend talking to his best Friend.
Jesus saw the self-righteous behavior of the Pharisees who were seeking to be
recognized for their spirituality. Public prayer was one of the ways for them
to draw people's attention to their spirituality. Jesus taught that the essence
of prayer is not what is said or how it is said, but the spirit of the heart.
If you are one who is fearful of praying in public, just keep your
prayers short. Remember your prayers come from your heart, “so don't let your
mouth keep moving after your heart has been heard.” Get to the point quickly.
Use everyday language. Avoid unnatural expressions that look good on paper but
sound corny and forced. The best-spoken prayers are sincere, short, and easy to
understand.
When Jesus beckoned Peter to come to him while Jesus was walking
on water, Peter got out of the boat and stepped into the water. It was only
when Peter took his eyes off Jesus that he began to sink, and it was then that
he offered one of the shortest prayers in the Bible, “Lord save me!” That is
the kind of prayer we sometimes need to pray. Short and to the point.
Sometimes all we need to pray is just three little words: “Lord,
help me.” If that kind of prayer was good enough for old Peter, then I'm sure
it will be good enough for you and me as well.
And don’t forget “there is no such thing in the history of God’s
eternal kingdom as a right prayer offered in the right spirit, that remains
forever unanswered.” Theodore Cuyler.
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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