Chuck Queen's Reflections

I recall a nationally known African American pastor reflecting on his sermon to a very somber, solemn congregation of mostly white Presbyterians in a poorly lit, warm, narrow sanctuary. He remarked that everything about that place cried, "Slow down, take it easy, nothing is going to happen here." He concluded his sermon feeling that the preaching event was a complete disaster. As people filed out and shook his hand, an elderly stately gentleman in a three piece suite shuffled up to him, looked him in the eyes with the utomost seriousness and said almost in a whisper: "That was a deeply moving religious experience."
Today we went on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Somewhere in the middle of the lake the engine was shut off, and the Scripture passage of Jesus coming to the disciples on the lake was read. Then we sang and echoed the Lord's prayer. The singing of the Lord's prayer in community on the stillness of the lake was for me a "deeply moving religious experience."
Last night in our "table talk" we reflected on prayer in light of Mark 9:14-29. The sharing stimulated my thinking on prayer.
A man asks Jesus if he is able to do anything about the condition of his demonized son. Jesus' disciples were ineffective in healing the boy. Jesus says, "All things can be done for the one who believes." All things can be done, but that doesn't mean they will be done. Two people of equal faith can pray for healing; in the one case it may be effective, in the other ineffective. Or is it? Who are we to judge what is effective or ineffective prayer? And how can we know what other factors are involved--from God's side, our side, and from the world's side? Prayer is a mystery.
Jesus said to his discples: "This kind comes out only through prayer." What kind of prayer? In all of Jesus' healings in the Gospels Jesus does not pray, he commands healing with a word or touch. Is Jesus prayed up, so to speak? Did he mean for the disciples to withdraw more often, as he did, in solitude to some desert place to pray at night or in the early morning? Would that have made a difference? Or is it the faith of Jesus that they lack? (Not faith in Jesus, but the faith of Jesus). Had they the faith of Jesus would they have been able to heal the boy? But how does one acquire the faith of Jesus? Is it a gift? Are there things we can do to ready ourselves to receive the gift? Is this something we should aspire for? Pray for? Work for?Prayer is a mystery.
I engage in intercessory prayer for the needs and hurts and suffering of the world. I pray for the healing--physically, socially, spiritually, relationally, and emotionally--of the world, the nations, communities, individuals, and creation. I pray for justice and peace and reconciliation. Do I know how it works? No. Nor do I believe that God will intervene and override the freedom of God's creation. Still I pray.Prayer is a mystery.
When the disciples asked Jesus about prayer in Luke 11 Jesus responded with a very simple, set pattern for praying that is rooted in the kingdom of God and the forgiveness of sins that we both receive and give to others. If our lives are oriented in God's justice, peace, and forgiveness then perhaps all we do is prayer.
Study is prayer.Silence and solitude is prayer.Gratitude and praise is prayer.The work of faith, the labor of love, and the endurance of hope is prayer.Service to others--contending for justice, forgiving the offender, offering a cup of cold water to one who is thirsty--is prayer.All--in God, with God, through God, and for God--it's all prayer.
And then maybe not.Prayer is a mystery.