What does it mean to pray, and why should we? (A reflection on prayer + upcoming formation opportunities to learn more)

Before moving to the Episcopal tradition, I knew approximately 3 different types of prayer. The most commonly used form of prayer that I grew up with was off-the-cuff (also known as extemporaneous) prayer. The others were journaling prayer and praying scripture (which was basically praying God’s Word back to God). 

My earliest experiences with prayer were often transactional. I viewed God more as a genie who just so happened to care about me. As I got older, my prayer life evolved into wanting to know God more. I still spent a lot of time, however, trying to convince God to give me things or change things in my life. I was frequently taught about the power of prayer and that if I just believed hard enough, God would work miracles.

Then, in my sophomore year of high school, one of my friends lost his dad in a tragic boating accident. I carried guilt for a long time because I felt like if I had prayed more, his dad might not have died. While I was eventually able to move on from that guilt, my foundation on the “power of prayer” began to crumble. 

About 10 years later, I participated in Retreat in Daily Life. During one of the weeks leading up to Easter, we read the passage about Jesus asking his disciples to pray in the garden before his death. I had either read -- or heard others read -- that passage many times, but it had a different meaning for me that year. 

When Jesus was in the garden praying, he was pleading for God to save him from what was about to come. His prayers ultimately did not keep him from the cross, but he was given the strength to face death. 

I wondered what would have happened if Jesus’ disciples had prayed like he asked. I don’t know that their prayers would have saved him either, but I thought of Peter and his reaction when the soldiers came for Jesus. Maybe if Peter had prayed too, he wouldn’t have reacted in violence to the ones trying to arrest Jesus. Then, I realized that prayer might not change the outcome of my situation, but it can change me and give me the strength to keep moving forward.

That realization sent me on a quest to learn more about prayer, and I learned that there are SO many ways to practice it. And there is not one form of prayer that is better than another. Talking to God can be using the words of the Lord’s prayer, it can be off-the-cuff, it can be going through the Daily Office, joining Lectio Divina on Mondays, or it can be as simple as witnessing the beauty of the world. Prayer can connect us to our Creator, bring us closer to each other, and help us learn more about who we are and how to live our lives accordingly.

If you grew up believing that there was a right and wrong way to pray, if you believed you had to change God’s mind through prayers, or if you’re simply feeling drawn to learn more about prayer, we have some opportunities for you coming very soon! 

Starting next week, Fr. Tom will be leading a prayer workshop over the span of 3 Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. He will be covering Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and the Daily Office. In each class, you will learn about one of the types of prayer and will have the opportunity to practice it. 

After the prayer workshop series concludes, we will be offering a new Wednesday night opportunity called Midweek Retreat. The idea for this retreat was formed by Mother Elizabeth, Leesa Adams, Robbie Henson, Jill Tate, and me. The five of us had previously gone through Retreat in Daily Life, but we wanted to make contemplative practices more accessible to the larger community at Emmanuel and provide a quiet time of prayer to recharge in the middle of a busy week. This is not a series that needs your attendance every single Wednesday, but it is here when you need to or want to come! If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, Midweek Retreat will begin on September 23rd from 5:30-6:30 PM and continue each Wednesday in the Nave by Lady Chapel. Childcare will be provided. You may contact any of us listed above for more information.

Finally, Retreat in Daily Life is gearing up for another session starting this fall. In this class, you will journey through the book, The Ignatian Adventure, by Kevin O’Brien that is based on the 500-year-old prayer exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. His practices are still helping others find God in everything. By practicing the exercises, you can grow in discernment and follow where Jesus may be leading you based on the places you have found him in your daily life. This is a 32+ week commitment.

The meeting day and time are to be determined, but if you are interested and/or want to know more about Retreat in Daily Life, you can contact Leesa Adams, Braden Norwood, or Nicole Troutman. 

We hope to see you there!