Just Pray
Pray For A Substantive Change of Spirit
by Eric Elkin
Many people I know begin their prayers with the adverb, “just” as in, “Just, Lord, give to us…” followed by their request. I’ve always assumed “just” qualifies the ask as a singular, simple request. Sometimes, I’ve wondered if the word is also intended to express humility. The person praying is not greedy by asking for too much. They “just” want this one thing.
In my experience, the one who starts prayer with “just” often ends up with many “justs” in their prayer. The word is repeated so often that it overshadows the actual requests. When the person praying is done, I am not sure what we prayed for, but I know I heard “just” a lot.
I do not want to leave the impression it is “unjust” or wrong to include this adverb in your prayer. One of the things that make people reluctant to pray is not knowing the right words. If you are one of those people, take confidence in our reading. God already knows what you want. God only wants to hear it from you and in your own words.
Some people are also reluctant to pray a prayer written by someone else. They choose to use their own words. This type of prayer often feels more spiritual. As though the one praying is more authentic. To a certain extent, I agree with this understanding. When I am deeply connected to a community, the words and concerns I pray for easily flow from my heart. Yet, I must admit, I do not always capture every need in the community.
This past Wednesday, my colleague, Pastor Cindy, turned to the United Methodist Book of Worship in search of a prayer. Cindy is very spiritual. She is one who prays from her heart with her own words. Yet, here she was looking for words she could not express. This was not a condition limited to her. None of us recording worship at the time could think of words.
The problem was influenced by a text message. Just as our staff prepared to record worship, Cindy received a text from her daughter. The words were intended to tell Cindy that her daughter was safe. Which caused all of us to ask, safe from what? It was then we used our phones to learn the news about the breach in the Capitol Building. This is where Cindy’s daughter works.
In the Book of Worship, Cindy found the following prayer:
Teach us, God of every nation,
to see every question of national policy in the light of our faith,
That we may check in ourselves and in others
Every passion that makes for war, all ungenerous judgment,
All promptings of self-assurance, all presumptuous claims.
Grant us insight to recognize the needs and aspirations of other nations,
And remove our suspicions and misunderstandings,
That we may honor all people in Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
These were not empty words, nor could any of us pray them from our heart at that moment. In this written prayer, we heard the needs of the day and the days ahead. So here is what I ask of you, could you “just” pray them with me this day. And, may the words we pray together work over our souls to bring about a substantive change of spirit in our nation and its people.
Click to read Matthew 6: 5-15
Reflection Questions:
What are the concerns weighing on your heart this day?
Where do you find the words to pray them?
How can the words of others help you pray?
What do you hope to receive from praying?