Lutheran Church of Mahomet, The Invitation Lent 2018 | Page 15

Finding time for personal prayer has been a common explanation of why it is difficult to
maintain an active prayer life. I confess being among those who constantly need to improve
my prayer life. I find a simple approach is being alert to the need of others. Prayer is like
breathing. It becomes a way of life. Whatever my words and actions, I daily pray will be
helpful to others.
“Praying the Scriptures,” as practiced by Luther, is helpful to me. A favorite Scripture pas-
sage, among many, is I Thess. 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Another, “In the same way
the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the
Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26).
I do attempt to observe the traditional times of prayer, both personal and family: in morn-
ings, evenings and at mealtimes, on Sundays and other times of worship, in committee meet-
ings and in small groups. Martin Luther observed that “the fewer the words, the better the
prayer.” Our prayers may become a time of meditation and personal examination. On special
occasions: graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and times of crisis, during personal
distress and public tragedies I often turn to silent prayer.
The passage in Acts 17:28, reminds us: “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Our
thoughts and actions, become prayers, with or without words. As we put our prayers into ac-
tion, giving of ourselves to others, working, playing, and even while gardening, we continually
express our inmost being. By recognizing answers to forgotten prayers, I am inspired to
again give thanks and praise, and offer more petition to our Lord, Jesus Christ.