(This is the fifth in my series of Bil’s ideas about ten misconceptions in Christianity today. This post suggests that the institutional church thinks prayer in a traditional sense works. It doesn’t!)
The institutional church spends a great deal of time discussing prayer and praying.
Here’s my take: Most prayer doesn’t make any sense to me. I do believe prayer works; however, it’s different from what the institutional church teaches.
I received a brochure titled “Daily Prayers for an End to Hunger.” In it, Mother Teresa was quoted: “Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, and His disposition, and listening to His voice.”
My red flags went up:
- Their god is an anthropomorphic being with hands and a voice that listens.
- It’s a “his.” Sorry, ladies!
- Does that being speak all 7,150 of the world’s languages as it “listens” to all 8.3 billion people?
Does the church really want me to believe this? Yes! They want me to leave my brain at the door. Yes! Do they want me to pray to NoOneUpThere, where one astronomer told me there are 145 trillion-plus galaxies? Yes! Does the church want me to tell NoOneUpThere what to do and whom to do it to? Yes!
When people told me they were going to pray for me because I had cancer for the fourth time, I wanted to ask, “What are you going to pray for?” That their god will cure me? Or should they ask if this is a test? (I would live or die, depending on my record.) Or that I turn to Him to give me strength? How does that work?
One woman in our church got it right. She knitted me a prayer shawl and made a beautiful card with the message, “May you find the strength and courage to face this challenge.” This woman simply cared for and supported me, and that had, and still has, great healing power. No begging NoOneUpThere.
I dislike it when politicians and well-meaning people send their “thoughts and prayers.” For me, such words are a meaningless brush-off that implies that they don’t really care. I have no idea what their thoughts and prayers are.
My belief system has no interest in an anthropomorphic being living somewhere up there, acting like a master puppeteer, pulling strings 24/7, and orchestrating what happens all over the vast universe. Science says it’s nasty in the atmosphere.
This is more church control. As a Progressive Christian, I have no interest in allowing the church to control my body or mind.
But I do believe in prayer, and it takes many forms. Sometimes it is a deep, meaningful conversation with others, with no set format, just sharing. It can also be meditation while walking, on a city bus, in bed, or even in a quiet church. This prayer helps me take stock of my journey toward living an agape lifestyle, that is, unconditional love for everyone, no matter where they are on their life’s journey. (The present DT administration is a real test!)
Rather than telling NoOneUpThere what to do, my prayer must be an action to practice agape. Sometimes this means sending a card or gift, visiting, making a phone call, and trying to be a positive influence in an often-negative situation. My daily prayer is a list of what I have to do today to make this a better world in which to live.
For someone interested in becoming a Progressive Christian, making that transition is the hardest part because for years we have been telling NoOneUpThere what to do. Many feel they have fallen into a spiritual vacuum.
My remedy is to make Jesus and prayer action verbs and not nouns.
This is food for thought! What do you think about it?
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
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FATHER and MOTHER
of all, who dwell within us and within the entire Universe.
Give us the courage to live as brothers and sisters and to work to build a just and supportive world, so
that we may participate in your “project of love”.
———————————-
Our daily bread should be broken and distributed
so that there is enough for everyone.
May we forgive from the heart and thus we too will be forgiven.
May we never lose hope for a “better world for all” and free us from selfishness. Amen.
El Parenostre tradicional en paraules d’avui
PARE i MARE de tots,
que habitau dins nosaltres i dins tot l’Univers.
Donau-nos el coratge de viure com a germans
i de treballar per construir un món just i solidari,
de manera que participem del vostre “projecte d’amor”.
———————————-
El nostre pa de cada dia sigui partit i repartit
per tal que basti a tothom.
Que perdonem de cor i així també serem perdonats.
Que no perdem mai l’esperança d’un món “millor per a tots”
i alliberau-nos de l’egoisme. Amén.
FATHER and MOTHER
of all, who dwell within us and within the entire Universe.
Give us the courage to live as brothers and sisters and to work to build a just and supportive world, so
that we may participate in your “project of love”.
———————————-
Our daily bread should be broken and distributed
so that there is enough for everyone.
May we forgive from the heart and thus we too will be forgiven.
May we never lose hope for a “better world for all” and free us from selfishness. Amen.
Always spot on ❤️
What about the prayer that Jesus gave us? What do you think of that? Jesus prayed often. Was he being foolish?
Thanks for your thoughts, Bil. I have a similar disposition to yours about asking for things such as miracles, healing, peace. I wish for them sometimes, but not through a vehicle such as prayers. I do see the value of introspective, meditative prayer. See you at church!