Church
CAPA Corner: Prayer
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Most of us who call ourselves Christian would probably say that we pray. (In fact, I have heard it said that even those who do not claim that name find themselves “praying” when they get in a tight situation.) As children, we may have been taught to “say grace” before meals and even to “say our prayers” at bedtime. I have delighted in hearing my grandchildren say their bedtime prayers when they stay with me and use (for the most part) the same words that we taught our children as they were growing up.
We pray together in church as we worship. At my church we pray a written prayer together, the Lord’s Prayer and a Pastoral Prayer (one that the Pastor says on behalf of the congregation.) Some of us pray daily in our devotion time lifting up the names of friends, loved ones, a person whose name has been given to us as someone who has a special need in their life. Many times these prayers are for physical, emotional, relational or spiritual healing.
This week I was in a gathering with pastors and civic leaders and someone commented about praying for our community, schools, families, our government and its leaders and our churches. That is a much broader group that we might normally include in our prayers. For many, many years now (originally 1775 and in our modern times since 1952) the people of our country have been urged to pray and meditate asking God to guide our country and her leaders. I am glad that I live in a country where that kind of freedom exists and that I am part of a community that prays together.
I will be at the Central observance of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 PM in the Old Middle School parking lot. I hope to see you there to pray with us.
Marie Williams,
Blackwater United Methodist Church
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