Unceasing Prayers
My Dear People,
I know a lot of fancy words.
I tear them from my heart and my tongue.
Then I pray.
-- Mary Oliver, from her poem "Six Recognitions of the Lord"
We likely think of spoken prayer first when we think of prayer. However, as the poet suggests, prayer is about much more than words.
In our "Outline of the Faith," on page 856 of the Prayer Book, the question is asked "What is prayer?"
The answer is delicious, "Prayer is responding to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words."
I have heard people say that they don't know how to pray, when, in truth, even in their wanting to pray, they have indeed already prayed.
If prayer is response to God, then that opens up a whole universe of possibilities: Prayer can be a smile; a door held; or word of gratitude uttered. Prayer can be an anthem; a sermon; or a poem. Prayer can be a meal offered to someone in need; a letter written on someone's behalf; a session mentoring a child. Prayer can be a belly laugh; a tear; or a quiet calm. Prayer can be listening to the wind fluttering through the treetops, as acorns drop on the roof overhead.
Indeed, our very life itself can be a prayer.
This is, I believe, what St. Paul meant when he said, "Pray without ceasing."
He wasn't talking about words; he was talking about lives.
Our lives lived as prayers; prayers offered to God. If imperfectly, then unceasingly.
Your brother in Christ,
Wallace+
