Preface In our walk through life, we welcome companionship. To experience the beauty of a sunset, we are so grateful to have a loved one along. The beauty can be absorbed, but the thrill of the moment is to share it. Life's events take on new significance as we experience them with a fellow traveler of mutual tastes. As human beings, we are cognizant of those around us. As Christians, we have a less evident Companion, who promised long ago on a hill in Palestine to be with His disciples and all those who count Him as Friend. To people around us, we communicate. Similarly to our Friend, Christ, we also speak--frequently enmeshed in prayerful thoughts.
Prayer Many of us see our exchange with Him in less formal ways, as we live and share our lives with Him and those whom He has given us. For us, prayer covers that communication. The heartfelt prayer is a mental expression of the thoughts that we share periodically and that He monitors constantly. Accustomed to that informality, we yet need more formal settings and words to focus our thoughts on Him--without the distractions of everyday living. Within this work are examples of that more formal setting that we see in prayers.
In Time In walking upon this globe in whatever places we have chose or have been chosen for us, we encounter a myriad of events and experiences that make us who we are and are becoming. In that growth we realize ultimately our physical limitations in time--both in our life's length on this planet and in how much we can know and encounter. In that time, we recognize the need for companionship and empathy. Others' understanding of our plans and plights gives us the incentive to endure and to energize ourselves to achieve. For the believing person, the Christian assurance of divine presence enlarges and extends the opportunity for encounter. Frequently the "silent partner" in the scheme of things, this divinity has spoken in time past to indicate the nuances of presence in the future--also in our lives. For Christians, this divine companion has reality in the person of Jesus Christ. Left to interpreters of His life, we accept their witness to His reality. This focus, or faith, in time provides the opportunity to share our experiences in various ways, for in His person is power and wisdom. With great strength (omnipotence) and knowledge (omniscience), He once walked this planet in time. As an experienced person, He provides credibility to this life in relation to others--whether in time or beyond. We have loved ones--divine and human--with whom we share this life.
For Eternity In avant garde speculation among contemporary astronomers, their musings have speculated about other universes. That "perhaps" has greater reality, in other ways, than some may be willing to admit, for Chrisitianty's Founder spoke of other people and worlds. For ease of reference, eternity has been chosen as one of those concepts extant beyond astronomy. In mathematics and science, scholars speak of infinity and the unknown end of the universe. In Christianity, scholars speak of infinity and the unknown, also. In a myopic reference for some humans, eternity is an endless time, not knowing origin or end. Without the chronological characteristics of time, eternity provides extended perspective to time's events. God is in the realm of time and eternity, and Christ's work can place human beings within both realms. Through divine grace with faith, human beings realize this relationship.
Prayer's Power Some would question the possibility of influenceing deity with words. Certainly individuals who are committed to determinism may doubt the ability to influence divine will or destiny. However, prayer has a therapeutic effect upon the person offering petitions in commitment to the future as well as opportunity to share the immediate burden. Additionally, Christians accept Jesus' word that He will hear us. Whose word is better than the Son of God?
Prayer's Dimensions Prayer, communication with divinity, finds relevancy in Christianity in each believer's conversation with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Composed in time, prayer provides a divine dimension, in eternity. With departure from time, believing human beings are in eternity. While in this world, Christians offer Prayers in Time for Eternity. And these prayers are just in time, that is at the appropriate moment, for eternity. We may utter prayers at just the right moment--perhaps even at the passing of a loved one--for eternity. Prayer, thus, gives us otherworldly perspective and potential.
Prayer's Forms As a universally applicable term to religions, prayer is communication with deity. How it is done varies among religions. Prayers are written, verbally spoken, mentally contemplated. For the Tibetan monk prayers may be recorded on small pieces of writing material and tied to a bush or tree. The prayers receive response, it is believed, as they flutter in the wind. At the Jewish wailing wall in Jerusalem, recorded prayers are placed in a niche of the wall. In Christianity written prayers are brief, such as the collect, or more lengthy, such as the Prayer for the Church in formal liturgy. Spontaneity and informal prayers are a standared for some Protestants; thus, the spoken prayer "from the heart" without text is a recognized approach. Repetition of spoken prayers is advocated with such practices as the rosary. Similarly, persons on prayer chains in parishes offer petitions for those in need. Printed collections of prayers are multitudinous, in Christianity as in many other world religions. Some are of importance because of their authors, and others for their content. Certain prayers have been marked as especially sacred because of their origin. Thus, in Christianity the Lord's Prayer is used consistently as a joint prayer for gathered Christians and also in private devotions. Categories or kinds of prayers are equally multitudinous. For example, there are prayers of the church, for special occasions, and so on. Each collection has specific intent and characteristics.
|