Prepared to pray?

We are used to people praying what they feel at the time and less used to praying words that have been prepared.  

But when we think about it, we often do use a plan or some prepared items - a scripture to declare or pray or a song or an outline. The technical term for prepared prayers and order is ‘liturgy.’

I came to faith in a context where we saw liturgy mainly as religious. We thought everyone praying the same words lacked faith and the Holy Spirit’s activity. But over time I discovered the value of inspired liturgies and had to repent of my attitude. A few years later God planted us in an Anglican congregation.  So we became more familiar with liturgy as part of the worship and prayer.

On one occasion early in our time in that church, we arrived rather late with our three children for the morning service. I was irritated, flustered and not ready to pray or worship at all.  

As I gathered my thoughts, the congregation started saying some ancient words together from the preparation section of the Communion liturgy:

“Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.”

I was almost in tears by the fourth line! It expressed exactly what I needed to say and deep down wanted to say. It helped me go through a speedy internal process of “sorry - thank You - please” to repent of my attitude, thank God for forgiveness and ask to be filled again.  

I was convinced in that moment that liturgy can have a useful place and a powerful effect.

Since then I have found great help in exploring more prayers and declarations of scripture that we or others have prayerfully prepared. Whatever words we use, our lives of prayer are about encountering God and being real not religious.

- Chris Horton