To write or not to write--that is the question of the day on prayer. At the risk of sounding like I'm in a confessional, I write my Sunday morning worship prayers out ahead of time. There's a part of me that is slightly uncomfortable letting this be known outloud. But there's the majority of me that is pleased to let you in on the full and utter human-ness of ministers. If I didn't write prayers out ahead of time, I would, like, have, um a few more pauses, and I would like, um, use a lot more of the same phrases, and I would probably like...
panic and completely run out of words.
Even a written prayer, though, is still very meaningful for me--and, while the words are right in front of me, I still feel very deeply that I am in communion with God, and often adjust prayers in the moment of praying them outloud on Sunday mornings. Preparing ahead of time helps me to be fully aware of what I am praying, of how I am addressing God, of thinking broadly of the needs beyond the congregation. In fact, as I am writing/praying a prayer in preparation for Sunday, I usually have a stack of books around me--reading through the hymns of the morning and the Scripture passages, and sifting through a stack of books of prayers for inspiration. Occasionally, I will feel specifically inspired to use a portion of a written prayer--not something that is easily cited. If I use a prayer or parts of a prayer from somewhere else, and someone appreciates a prayer, I explain that I used such and such a resource; but for those that think every prayer is a Jess-original, again, I'm in the confessional.
I have a Baptist friend who thinks it's peculiar that I write my worship prayers out ahead of time--she claims it's got to be a Presbyterian thing. Perhaps you think this as well, now that the secret is out. The whole topic of congregational prayer was a brief discussion in Sunday school yesterday--a comment was made about posting a prayer. I have done so below. I look forward to reading your comments.
About Me
- Jess
- Jess Scholten, Associate Minister, First Presbyterian Church in High Point, NC. But also, and in some cases more importantly... wife of fabulous husband-Tom, born in the lovely town of Holland (Michigan, that is), graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, world traveler, restorer of our log home, Presbyterian Minister ordained in the Reformed Church in America, seven on the enneagram, avid reader, favorite daughter/sister/and well, current associate minister, right?
6 comments:
I can't imigine NOT writing things down. I would definitely be searching for words and include all the likes and ums you could possibly imagine. And you know, if I don't write things down, I tend to forget to do them. So if you ask me, writing down your prayers means your actually going to or have already done whatever it is you are praying. So if you don't mind, keep writing them down and we can all rest assured all the prayers are taken care of! ;-) Melissa Cushman
Jess, I agree with you and Melissa. When I pray in front of the circle women, I'd be a bundle of gibberish if I didn't write what I wanted to say. I get too emotional praying in front of people. Plus I want to cover all the bases and I'd surely forget something or someone if I didn't write it down. Keep up the good work.
Jess,
As a minister, you must be accustomed to being asked to pray on the spur of the moment. Are you comfortable with that?
Sometimes, laymen are asked to pray at committee meetings or other occasions without an opportunity to prepare. It probably would be good for the moderator to call someone ahead of time and ask that person to handle the opening or closing prayer. I'm generally OK about being asked to prayer at a moment's notice, although sometimes I'm in a more prayerful mood or spirit than others. Even if I stumble over a prayer, however, I find that people are pretty forgiving. Then again, they probably have higher expectations of a minister.
Doug Clark
20 years later I'm still writing out my prayers for worship. It takes me 25 minutes to 2 hours to compose the prayers of intercession, i.e. "The Big Prayer". Like you and others, it helps me avoid ums and repetition. More importantly, this intentional effort allows me to weave together words that lead others into a meaningful experience of speaking and listening to God about things that matter most. And like you, I often find that the words I am praying are not written on the page in front of me, but come from the Spirit. In my preparation for leading prayers with others, I beleive God is part of and blesses the process. TD
In response to Doug, absolutely I am accustomed to praying on the spur of the moment. About the only prayers I write out ahead of time are prayers for worship--most especially, the prayers of the people. But prayers for meal blessings, end of Session meetings, hospital visits... those are never written out.
Being a hospital chaplain got me over the praying outloud jitters. Plus, reading collections of prayers and writing my own also help me to find words on the spur of the moment.
The only time that comes to mind that this hasn't worked quite right was a PYC (youth) meeting when I prayed, "Bless this Taco Bell onto our bodies," and pretty much lost the whole group including leaders... :)
I SOOOO Remember that Taco Bell blessing and yes even the leaders lost it! Sorry. But it's all good, shows your human. And that I'm not the only one that can flub a blessing at a youth meeting! ;-)
Melissa
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