In this podcast, we are going to talk about prayer. What is prayer? How does prayer impact our lives and why prayer is important?
Over the past week, we have seen many people come together in prayer for Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills football player who collapsed on the field during Monday night football. As my husband and I watched the game that evening, you could see the look of fear, concern and uncertainty in the eyes of the players, the coaches and the medical staff. It was an eerie sight to see the ambulance quickly move on to the field as trainers administered CPR.
As the game came to a halt, the fans in the stadium seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for the outcome. Even the commentators were silent as they watched the events unfold before them on National TV. Watching it happen was surreal.
The profound silence that evening in the stadium, on TV and as we sat on the couch and watched reminded me of 911. I can still remember hearing the news reports of the terrorist attacks that Tuesday morning many years ago as I taught first grade. I worked to keep the day as normal as possible for my students, but my mind was wandering and fearing the worst. After lunch, the students innocently played on the playground as teachers talked about the events happening in New York and more importantly shared their fears and concerns. One thing I vividly remember about that day was the silence on the playground. The silence that surrounded the voices of the children laughing and playing. All air travel had come to a halt so we didn’t have the normal background noise of airplanes flying above. Even the traffic in front of the church and school seemed quiet that day.
It was like the world around us knew that something was happening and it was holding its breath. As tragedy strikes it is often a vivid reminder of just how helpless and vulnerable we really are.
During the Monday night football game, seeing a seemingly healthy player on the ground knocking on death’s door was a reminder of how precious life truly is. Football players are known for their strength, speed and their ability to physically excel, but on that Monday night life changed in an instant. Strong, tough heroes were on their knees with their heads bowed praying. They had tears streaming down their faces.
Damar Hamlin reminded us that life is precious and just how easily life can veer off from the expected path. When life is uncertain and fears begin to rise, people seek some kind of reassurance that everything is going to be ok, that they themselves are going to be ok. When life knocks you to your knees, a place where you acknowledge being helpless and feeling hopeless in a certain circumstance, it is often on the ground that your only option is to look up. And when you look up you will find God.
God is there waiting for you. He is waiting for you to call on him. He is waiting for you to rely on him. He is waiting for you to acknowledge that you need him like the air that you breathe.
My husband and I were recently visiting a friend in the hospital. As we were walking towards the elevators to get to her room we passed the hospital gift shop. In the front window on display for all to see was a collection of devotionals, Bibles, books about prayer and suffering. Most hospital visits are unplanned and unwanted. They are often full of scary diagnoses, accidents or life altering changes. These are the types of things that remind you of how quickly life can change. One minute you are going about your day and the next minute life is different and possibly changed forever. These instances often send you to your knees in pain, desperation and searching for answers. How normal it is to turn to prayer in these situations. How appropriate it is then for someone in a hospital to search out a book or devotional on prayer, right? Most hospitals have a chapel where you can go and pray and many prayers are sent up in waiting rooms and around a hospital beds. You don’t think twice about someone with their head bowed or being down on their knees praying in a hospital…you understand the desire in their heart for healing and restoration for a loved one.
A hospital and a football field are very different, yet on that Monday night, they were the same. They were both the scene of a scary diagnosis, an uncertain outcome and possibly life altering changes. One minute there was the back and forth of a football game between two rivals and a boisterous crowd but then suddenly things changed. A healthy young player collapsed, players looked on in disbelief as medical teams started CPR, the unbelieving crowd went silent, and the commentators were speechless. And do you know what happened? Strong, rugged NFL players fell to their knees. At that moment their size, ranking, accomplishments, large paychecks, draft pick number…did not matter. Through their tears they gathered together and prayed. Players from two teams became one. They felt helpless, scared and out of control so they turned to God. A God who can heal. A God of miracles. A God who is always there waiting for us to need him. A God who will never forsake us no matter how many times we have turned away from him thinking that we are strong enough to handle life on our own. A God who knows our pain and suffering. A God who suffers right along with us.
As I passed the hospital gift shop I was thinking it is perfectly acceptable that devotionals, bibles and encouraging books are readily available, but how ironic would it be to see the same books for sale at the stadium beside the team jerseys and sweatshirts. Yet, that night the need for prayer was just as great in the stadium as it was at the nearby hospital. We tend to compartmentalize our need for God. Walking into a stadium our thoughts usually aren’t focused on prayer and God’s presence in our lives. Well, we could be praying for our team to win…asking for a miracle, right.
There has been lots of debate about the importance of prayer and if it is appropriate to include prayer in public gatherings. As you know, prayer has often been removed from schools and public gatherings. We see some athletes being ridiculed for their faith and how they choose to express it. In the Cincinnati stadium that Monday night, prayer wasn’t a focus until it was THE focus. Prayer wasn’t important until it was the only action that everyone knew to take as they watched Damar Hamlin’s lifeless body on the field. Prayer was in the spotlight as we watched from home as players hooked arms and prayed together. As fans in the stadium bowed their heads in collective prayer. As commentators prayed on air with millions of viewers doing the same at home.
So why do we pray?
St. Augustine says, "Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him."
We pray because prayer brings peace, comfort, strength and yes prayer brings healing. Prayer is an action you can take when things are falling apart around you and you're out of options. Prayer is saying to God that you need him. Prayer is recognizing that God is bigger than what you are going through and believing that he will listen to your request. It gives you courage and reminds you that you aren’t alone. Prayer connects you with God’s love and helps you to see outside of yourself. Prayer is how you create a deeper relationship with God.
The week after Damar collapsed there were many examples of prayers for his recovery. Social Media, talk shows, news reports all showed examples of people around the country praying for this athlete. School children made cards for him, TV announcers reflected on the event and boldly prayed on live TV. It was humbling to see teams like the Titans and Jaguars meet at midfield and pray together before their game. A situation that could have been tragic has turned out to be one full of hope, healing and unity.
Unfortunately, like in the past, this will probably fade and prayer will once again move to the background until another tragedy strikes and we are reminded of our need for God.
But for just a second, imagine what our world would look like if prayer didn’t fade to the background. How would our world change if prayer became part of our everyday lives? What if it became the norm for people to meet in the middle to pray before ball games, concerts, or any gathering? What if we became a society that fell to our knees and bowed our heads on a regular basis not because something terrible had happened, but because we recognized that we need God. Because we desire to be connected with him. Because we know that we are so much stronger with him than trying to act on our own. Because life is more joyful when we invite him into every part of our lives.
Imagine what our world would be like if we craved prayer as much as the air we breathe.
Prayer is simply lifting your heart and mind to Christ. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God about the daily ins and outs of your life. Don’t worry about the “proper” way to pray, just have a conversation with God like you would a friend.
God desires for prayer to be woven into all parts of your life. Prayer isn’t only for times of trouble or suffering. There are different types of prayers that compliment your entire life and the main goal is to help you remain in communion with God. The types of prayer are Adoration, Petition, Intercession and Thanksgiving.
Prayers of Adoration. In this type of prayer you praise and give honor to God. You praise God for your life, you praise him for the wonder and beauty of the world, and for the many blessings you experience each day. The blessings that are easy to see, but also the ones that go unnoticed.
Prayers of petition This is probably the most familiar prayer form of prayer. These are the prayers that you often turn to when things go wrong or suffering is happening around you. When you offer prayers of petitions, you are asking God for something that you believe is good. A healing, a reconciliation in marriage, a new job opportunity, strength to face a situation. A request that you believe is good for yourself, others or the world. This type of prayer allows you to remember that God wants you to bring your problems, worries, fears and concerns to him. To trust in him to hear your prayers. God’s answers to prayers don’t often match what you prayed for or happen in your timeframe, but prayer is more than asking and receiving, it is believing that God will always give you what you need. There were many petitions prayed on behalf of Damar Hamlin.
Prayers of Intercession These are prayers prayed on behalf of others. Often the people you are praying for aren't’ aware of your prayers. These prayers can be a source of blessing upon others, the Church, and the world. We believe that the Saints intercede for us so it is comforting to ask them or our Lady to pray on our behalf. These prayers can bring great strength and courage in the face of adversity. Knowing that there are others praying for you, especially the saints in heaven, can allow a peace of mind and heart.
Finally, there are prayers of Thanksgiving. These prayers help you to be aware and grateful for the many blessings that God pours into your life. It helps you to appreciate all aspects of your life. It is easy to thank God when good things happen, but prayers of thanksgiving are even more powerful when you thank God for the trials, the things that didn’t go as expected and the lessons learned from mistakes. Gratitude can be found in all areas of life.
Recognizing the prayer is more than just going to God with your needs and wants, you can incorporate prayer into all parts of your life. Each breath is an opportunity for praise and thanksgiving. Throughout your day, if you are open and allow it, the Holy Spirit will guide you to pray for the needs of others around you, your family, and the world.
Prayer isn’t for certain times of the day or even your week. Embrace prayer as a constant part of your life.
So, I challenge you to pray boldly. Instead of telling people you will pray for them, stop and pray with them. Instead of letting fear keep you from sharing your faith, be willing to pray with anyone anywhere. Instead of compartmentalizing your prayer life to Sundays, an hour in your day or times of trouble, let your prayer shine through in all aspects of your life. Take everything to God. Invite him into all parts of your life.
I want to close with this quote about prayer from St. Mother Teresa
“Everything starts with prayer. Love to pray–feel the need to pray often during the day and take the trouble to pray. If you want to pray better, you must pray more. The more you pray, the easier it becomes. Perfect prayer does not consist of many words but in the fervor of the desire which raises the heart to Jesus. “
Let’s pray…
