How Do I Pray?

Sunday Offering

How do I pray? My heart hurts, millions of people are suffering. As I pondered how to pray for the extreme needs of so many, our bishop called for clergy to pray the Lord’s Prayer last Thursday at twelve-noon. I was inspired and thankful for Bishop Michael Rinehart, and my clergy colleagues, as we prayed together despite distances. We couldn’t gather, but together, we were present to our father God, asking that our needs be met, and trusting God to answer. 

Look closely at the Lord’s Prayer with me; I hope that you grasp the essence of practicing the presence of God that is intrinsic to prayer. You see, we don’t look at a picture of our mother or father when they are right there with us. 

Practice the Presence of God

After the crucifixion, the terrified disciples were struggling with agonizing grief and loss; their leader was gone. They were next. What did they do besides hide - lock themselves in a room-shaking in their sandals? They prayed. They prayed for ten days. This is what I want to tell you about. You know the rest of the story. The disciples were totally transformed from frightened men scared out of their wits. The world was changed forever. 

But exactly what did they pray? They prayed as Jesus taught them. Jesus often left the disciples to go away to a lonely place to pray. He did it a lot, it was his custom. Something caused the disciples to question Jesus on one occasion. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray as he did. 

What did Jesus do or say while he was praying for long periods that made the disciples ask this question? What do you think Jesus was doing while he was praying? Do you think Jesus spoke out loud? Do you think he was wearing a prayer shawl and bowing (as in the Jewish custom?) or, do you think he counted beads (Hindu) or, was he praying a rosary (Roman Catholic?) Was he seated on the ground with his hands folded in prayer? Was he looking up with his eyes open? Perhaps his head was bent down with folded hands, eyes closed? Would he have been prostrate on the ground? Maybe he had a prayer list? Did he speak out loud? Did he seem anguished at times?

Jesus began by praying what we know as the Lord’s Prayer,
“Abba, Father,
Holy is your name,
Your kingdom come.
Our bread for tomorrow/give us today.
And forgive us our debts/ as we also forgive our debtors.
And let us not succumb to temptation” (Luke 11:2-4: Mt 6:9-13).

Did Jesus pray this aloud over and over for hours? I believe Jesus was teaching the disciples more than words – he was teaching them how to survive without his immediate presence. Jesus was teaching them to practice the presence of God. 

The Lord’s Prayer (as we pray it) has three parts, Adoration, Petition, Praise – those three parts form the basis for our stance before God which can be summed up in three words: Abba, Hinni, Amen. Download those three little words into your hearts.

I. ABBA
Abba is Aramaic for Papa. “Abba…Papa.’ 
Jesus used this word when he spoke of God, his Father. How did Jesus come to know God, his Father, in this intimate, endearing way? 

He likely learned to understand the relationship of Papa to being a child in his own home. I visualize Joseph coming home with all of the children rushing out to greet him, some climbing on his legs, perhaps one gathered up in his arms, one on his back, with the older ones being patient to wait until his play with the younger ones is finished; perhaps they roll around on the ground -- wrestling like fathers and sons are prone to do from time to time. 

It is clear that we are not talking about a father coming home from work saying, “Give me a beer, keep the kids quiet, I need to watch some TV.” 

Abba –becomes our stance before a loving “Papa” in heaven whose name we hallow, who comes to us --meeting us in our littleness – He is the one we trust to meet all our needs. Abba. We put ourselves into the presence of God (God is spirit). God is always present to us, but we are not always conscious of this truth. 

II. HINNI – (pron. Heeney) It means, “Here I am.“ The literal translation of the Hebrew word is, “Here me with you,” like Tonto and the Lone Ranger, “Here me.” Remember the story of the boy Samuel hearing voices calling in the night? Three times he went to the old priest Eli asking why Eli was calling him; Finally, Eli understood that God was calling the boy. Eli told the boy to return and respond to the voice, using the word, Hinni, “Here I am Lord.” Our stance before God is one of utter receptivity, Here I am. 

What are you struggling with this day? What difficulty do you face this moment? My heart cries out with agony for the thousands of people suffering from the virus or those who have lost loved ones. This is the prayer for us. I invite you to pray with me - to be present to the love of God. 

“Abba, Papa, Here I am standing with you, here I am … in my littleness, trusting you to deliver me from my sinfulness, forgiving me as I forgive others, providing when I need food, or water that gives eternal life, clothing, or protection from all evil. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. I put all my trust in you because you care for me." 

III. AMEN. We let it be done. 
The Hebrew Amen means genuinely, it is true. “Amen!” More than a word, it is an all-embracing attitude: ‘to stay, to support, to be firm, faithful. It is like coming home and sinking down into your favorite comfortable chair… letting go completely. 

And a miracle happens as we practice the presence of God. God transforms our lives to wholeness because Someone happens to us.

Abba, Hinni, Amen: AHA!

Light a Candle March 22

Sunday Offering

Abba, Father God, thank you for sequestered silence to spend loving you. Thank you for the red mountains outside our door where we walk in silent wonder at your creation. We are here in our littleness trusting you to meet our needs. Thank you for hearing the cries of our hearts for those who suffer. Thank you for answering those prayers. In all things and at all times, we give you thanks and praise. Abba! Abba! Abba!

Thanks to our Sedona Pastor, David Brandfass, for the call to place a lighted candle in a window. The more I look at the beautiful photo, the more I see the tremendous power of God’s transforming love at work shining through us as we seek His face.