Sharing The Grace of Prayer

I’ve been thinking lately about Sharing the Grace  and Living the Passion of  Prayer. The word ‘grace’ usually reminds us of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and mercy....much can and has been written about this.  And the meaning of ‘passion’ in this context, well it can be extensive, so for the sake of blog space, I will write about these thoughts later in the week.  For now, it's 'grace'.  So, what might the 'grace of prayer' look like in our lives….in our community...... and as a ‘light’ of God’s grace spread across our globe?  Seem all encompassing or a little vague?  Bear with me and read on.

At English Lutheran, as in most churches, each week we offer prayers during service, and during the week  through avenues like small groups and prayer chains.  These are often prayers spoken for specific needs,  and each one is gift or blessing for sure.  Yet, I think there is an added gift or Grace which casts a light when we share the act of prayer with others.  This is the ‘grace of prayer’, the presence of God’s love shared in community. Letting others know our prayers are extended to, and/or wrapped around them, often serves as a way to build  bridges personally and communally, near and far.   

Some examples.  I've attended conferences and assemblies where sand candles are openly placed for people to light a candle, as a sign of prayer during presentations or devotions.  

             On a personal basis, I have received emails from loved ones letting me know they are with me in prayer…not for specific needs, just simply because we are joined in heart, in spirit, and often in Christ.  

            Many ministries like Lutheran World and Disaster Relief programs, Voice of the Martyrs serving isolated Christians, and senior outreach programs become strengthened in their work when the light of prayer is shared with them. These ministries and the people served come to know they are joined in a community of God’s grace through prayer.

In a world of technology and less personal modes of connecting, sharing the Grace of Prayer offers the  deeply rooted gift that we are joined together in God’s love. This is a grace which offers strength. It offers hope. And it plants roots for possibilities.

Growing up in the Jewish faith, as a child I often felt a sense of mystery during those special Holy Synagogue Services, as I watched and listened to men and women chanting their prayers, so passionately and  focused.   They often wore Tallit or fringed prayer shawls draped around their shoulders, like a cloud of witnesses bowing together before God.  The sense of community in prayer sometimes stayed with me and cast a light, even when I was too young to understand the spoken chants. 

During my ministry in hospitals, hospice, and nursing homes, I’ve seen a wide variety of prayer shawls,  fashioned stitch by stitch, created in a gathering of community and or in quiet lone times.  Each shared gift created in prayer to serve as reminders of love, hope, memory, gratitude, and compassion.

Over the years. many folks have told me that in the sharing of prayers, through whatever means, the one offering the prayer(s) often receives just as the one receiving.  In the sharing of Grace through Prayer, the light which is cast can shine near and far.  It does not burn out.

Sharing the Grace of a Hebrew Prayer:  May God's grace and our humble prayers offer sacred places of security and well-being, sustaining and embracing all in good times, as well as difficult ones.

More to come on the passionate side.

Shalom,  Susan