Over the years I have often found myself talking with individuals who tell me that they don’t go to church, but ‘I always say my prayers when I go to bed.’
Of course, people may pray at any time. Some people, though, struggle with personal prayer, wondering what words they should say, how they should address God or whether there are limits to what they should pray about.
One young woman said to me that she had been very ill and felt so desperate that eventually she had prayed to God for help, something that she would not normally do. She was very grateful when her health was restored and firmly believed that God had answered her prayer.
Unfortunately, she had become ill again and was very anxious. I suggested that, because she had prayed and God had responded positively, she might pray again.
She looked at me in horror and said emphatically,
‘I can’t do that.’
I was puzzled and asked her,
‘Why ever not?’
‘Oh no!’ she replied, ‘I can’t ask him again yet; there must be lots of people whose turn it is before me.’
I tried hard to persuade her that God doesn’t have waiting lists, but I don’t think I managed to succeed.
A colleague of mine was visiting another patient who told him that she felt so ill and exhausted, that she couldn’t find the words to pray. Very slowly and gently my colleague helped her to tell him what basically she wanted to say to God. After some time this simple and moving prayer had been written.
‘Dear God,
Here I am,
Just as I am,
Be with me
And all those I love.
Amen
The patient used the prayer several times a day while she was in hospital. Later, it was printed on small cards and given to others who were struggling to find words for prayer.
Among the very many books of prayers and orders of service available for Christians all over the world, those from the Celtic tradition are often very helpful for personal private prayer.
Early Morning Prayer - From A Celtic Litany by Pat Robson
My Father, I come to you at the beginning of this day
To ask you to guide me and help me.
Give me courage to face the problems that lie ahead
and give me a heart wide open to the joys you have prepared for me.
Forgive my many sins, that I may start this day anew.
And as you forgive me, may I learn to be forgiving and compassionate to others in return.
My Father, I long to serve you aright.
May all that I do and all that I say be pleasing in your sight.
Amen
Night Prayer
The love of the God who made me,
The love of the Son who died for me,
The love of the Spirit who dwells within me,
Bless me and keep me.
Amen
Similar short, contemporary prayers are to be found for those who prefer printed words for their private devotions, such as,
Heavenly Father, we lift up our hearts to you in this time of anxiety,
We thank you that we can bring all our troubles and problems and lay them at your feet.
Deepen our faith, and draw us nearer to yourself, that we may find your grace, your guidance and your peace, for Jesus’ sake,
Amen
Written by Frank Colquhoun
However we choose to offer our personal prayers to God, let us remember that it is a communication in which we can use words comfortable to us and in which there are times of silence for God to reply.
May you be blessed in your prayers.
Pip