The Art of Writing Prayers
In its simplest definition prayer is
a conversation between the one who is praying and the one to whom
those prayers is directed. For the writer this must always be taken
into account.
Prayer can take many forms, and encompass the whole range of poetic
and literary styles. It can be a cry for help or a cry of joy. It
can be a single word or a symphony of prose.
If we are going to be creative in our prayers then I do not feel
that there should be too many hard and fast rules about the format
and content. We are all individuals with our own thoughts about
style and content, and this ‘individuality ‘ can bring
a freshness and vitality into a time spent talking and listening
to God.
For those who are poets, I would caution
against the use of fancy ‘poetic language’ if in its
complexity it renders the prayer difficult to understand on first
hearing. Dylan Thomas knew how to weave a magical carpet of words,
but often they are not readily accessible to the ordinary reader.
For those who are strangers to poetry,
don’t let this put you off. I don’t think Columba was
renowned as a poet, but he knew how to praise his God.
Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.
(Columba, c.521 - 97)
Free verse or rhyme, structured or
not let the Spirit take you where He will. Allow your inspiration
to paint pictures with words.
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, for ever.
(Old Celtic prayer)
Most importantly, remember to whom the prayer is directed and the
congregation or individuals who are being asked to join their thoughts
with your words.
CONTENT
Within the context of our collective worship there are certain elements
that it would seem right to include, in order that our prayers are
not seen to be too narrow in their aspirations.
These can be represented by the acronym A.C.T.S.
(i) ADORATION: Our
prayer of adoration is one that is centred entirely on God. It is
our expression of praise for all that God is - His holiness, majesty,
love and greatness.
It’s that mountaintop experience of being in the presence
of the Creator of all that you see around you, or sitting through
a truly wonderful performance of a sacred work which has transported
your soul to another plain. Perhaps you see what I’m trying
to explain?
Adoration comes from the heart, from our emotions; it’s an
expression of our inmost feelings.
Every creature, every plant
every rock and grain of sand
proclaims the glory of its Creator
worships through colour, shape
scent and form.
A multi-sensory song of praise.
Creator God, may we join
with the whole of your creation
in praising you, our Creator
through the fragrance
and melody of our lives
(ii) CONFESSION:
An awareness of God’s presence within our worship naturally
leads on to a feeling of our own unworthiness. In confession we
acknowledge what we are and ask for forgiveness.
If these prayers are part of an act of public worship then it is
appropriate to express the Christian conviction that we all share
in the sin of humankind.
Any prayer of confession should properly express our belief that
God offers the promise of forgiveness.
Loving Father
all the fancy words
in the world
expressed in eloquent prose
decorated with emotion
spoken with conviction
cannot compete with a heartfelt
'sorry'
when all other words fail.
There are times
when we are all too aware
of our limitations
conscious of sin
and the distance it creates between us.
Sometimes 'sorry'
is all the heart can bear to say aloud.
It is only you
who can read and understand
the language of our hearts
Only you who can translate our 'sorry'
into the prayer we would have prayed
if we had the words within us.
Then you forgive
and having forgiven
surround us in an embrace of love
drawing us close to your heart
as it was always meant to be.
Thank you, Loving Father
that you listen to hearts
as well as voices
Thank you.
(iii)
THANKSGIVING: Often lost within the package of prayer
offered within worship is thanksgiving. It gets confused with adoration
or simply ignored as prayers focus on intercession.
It is only right and proper that we should thank God for all that
he has done. For the beauty of this world which he created, for
the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the promise
of the Holy Spirit, his continuing creativity in the world today
and for the Church - his body here on earth.
After the storm
a rainbow
skilfully painted
from the spectrum of colours
contained in your glorious palette.
Warm colours encircling us
embracing this earth
with a promise
a reminder of your covenant
with all of your creation.
Such love
eternal and everlasting.
Thank you, Creating God
for the beauty of the rainbow
and the beauty of your love
For all that you have made
and are going to make
(iv)
SILENCE: Silence is important, in that it allows
us time to digest all that has been said through prayer. It gives
us precious time within worship to let our hearts talk and our mouths
stay silent.
As David Adam says ‘It is not an empty time but a God-filled
time when we open ourselves up to him.
How do you write silence into a prayer? Well, that’s up to
the individual writer to decide. If you are writing a liturgy, or
responsive prayer then it is fairly straightforward.
Shall we spend a moment or two in quiet
reflection.
For love, freely given to all
(pause)
For wholeness, the healing touch for broken lives
(pause)
For Salvation, for being made right again with God
(pause)
Bur even within a simple prayer there can be time to pause, reflect
and respond before proceeding. No-one said that a prayer was a continual
stream of words ending in ‘Amen’.
Thank you Lord God for the opportunity
of worship
for the freedom to be amongst your family
meeting together in your house
and in the warmth of your embrace
(pause)
Thank you that in worship we can put
aside
the uncertainties of this world and rest
upon the certainties of the Kingdom
for your promises are not changeable
as those of a politician might be
but immovable and eternal
(pause)
Thank you that we can bring to your
feet
all the hurts and fears that trouble us
and leave them there
knowing that your strength and assurance
are all that we require
(pause)
Thank you that as we draw near in worship
we are transported
from a world of concerns and fears
to a place where we can be at peace in your presence
find healing, wholeness and refreshment.
(pause)
Thank you Lord God for the opportunity
of worship
If you feel inspired to write prayers then go ahead and write, it
can be an uplifting exercise –simply the act of taking words
and using them carefully to express your own thoughts and feelings.
Don’t be afraid that you are producing something too personal.
Remember David the Psalmist. Read some of his prayers and you’ll
realise soon enough that he was happy to share his ups and downs,
the pits and the mountaintops with anyone. And thousands of years
later people are still inspired by his words, touched by his humility
and faith.
|
