Prayer Chains, Revisited

A few days ago, I wrote about prayer chains in today's world. Tonight I had reason to tap into my own prayer-chain list for a friend who is going through a very difficult time. I am fearful for her emotional state. Anyhow, it was such a relief to know I had some folks just a few keystrokes away who are able and very willing to help with prayers on her behalf.

I know that they will put their hearts into their prayers.

Sometimes, folks think that for a prayer to be effective, it must be very long or very noble or very elaborate. I don't agree with this. One of my favorite prayers is one I learned from some Jewish folks I worked with for years back in the 60s and 70s - "From your mouth to God's ears." I love this. Sometimes, when we need to pray in an instant, and we are afraid we will forget that we have promised to pray for someone, this is more than enough. It tells the Lord that, at this moment, the worry that we face (ours or another's) is being directed to his attention, for his love and help and compassion and mercy. What more can we ask, in all honestly, than that?

Another one I read in a Guidepost post a while back is just the repetition of Jesus' own words - "Thy will be done." Again, it is amazingly quick and simple. Plus, it directs us to the real way to pray. Too often, we are praying for what we want and not for the ability to work with what God knows we really need. I have to admit that accepting what is here and now is often very very difficult for we humans, and often especially for me.

Dear God, thank you for being there, always ready to hear us and help us. Thank you for the strength you will send us if we but take a moment to ask for it.