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Prayer of desperation
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(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
There has been a great deal written about prayer over the years. Theologians debate the how and why. Churches and denominations exhort congregations to prayer, often emphasizing particular doctrine or creed.
But many wonder just what is prayer? And, even more so, is there a right way or a wrong way to pray?
My experience and observation tells me that a loving God that cares about all of creation means every human being is one of God's kids. And it follows that as God's children we can have a personal relationship. In that relationship we hope to have communication, or if you prefer, communion. To me that communion is the essence of prayer. Spending time, quiet time, with God. Listening and loving. I think it goes in both directions - God listening to us with loving attention. And we return the favor with our loving attention - and intention - while we listen to God.
Like most people I don't hear an audible voice when listening for God. But I do get a sense that I'm given direction.
Aside from quiet contemplative prayer I believe the most effective prayers are those that come from our heart when we are broken, sad, distraught, distressed and in need of help. "Lord, please help me!" is an effective prayer - the prayer of desperation - oft uttered on the lips of addicts, alcoholics, the homeless and jobless, the sick and dying, and the heartbroken. Our God is full of compassion. Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), demonstrated this in his ministry. He healed the sick and comforted the downtrodden. He taught about a loving Father God that sends the sun and rain on the good and the wicked. He taught us not to worry, but to be transformed, like a grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die (John 12:24). And he when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray he obliged with what we've come to call the "Lord's Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13). If you analyze this prayer you'll see it has a beautiful message that encourages us to love and forgive and surrender.
The prayer of desperation is essentially a prayer of surrender. |
It requires humility. We recognize that we can't do it on our own. Jesus prayed this way the night before his passion. Scripture records that in the garden of Gethsemane he prayed for the cup of his passion to pass from him. He was probably feeling desperate. He added in his prayer that it be not his will, but God's (Mark 14:32-36).
When we turn to God for help we need to be willing to let go of trying to get our own selfish way. Ultimately, doing the will of God is the best thing we can do, because God is good and cares for everyone. The good can be the enemy of the best, but God knows what is best.
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