A couple weeks ago instead of a centralized "sermon" at New Life we separated into a couple different "breakout" sessions. I taught on the subject of prayer.
This is a topic I have hit before within the context of my community. I certainly did not say anything new. But in the few days since my words have echoed in my head and I am already rethinking some of my statements.
(This is a curse of my own personality. I am an over-analytical perfectionist. This leads me to a deep pursuit of accuracy and completeness--and
that manifests itself in me being easily distracted by a myriad of disclaimers--like this one.)
Anyway, I was describing how prayer and the inner spiritual life were fundamentally solitary pursuits--a frontier shared by each individual soul and the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit. I cannot step into someone else's heart, mind, or soul and "hold his or her hand" along the path of quieting one's self in prayer. I can teach, encourage and share my own (and others') experiences. But in those quiet moments it is you and God--no more, no less.
However upon reflection I am not so sure. I think my statements are true in the limited sense of prayer that is individual in nature. But prayer is also communal. Jesus himself taught us to pray "
Our Father..." Perhaps I am off base from the outset by defining prayer as a solitary pursuit. Clearly those "prayer closet" moments are a component of prayer, but there is an equally important communal aspect. So first my definitions of prayer must include this corporate perspective.
Once I acknowledge that I wonder if we allow space within our community, within the time and identity of New Life, to foster this communal notion of prayer? Sure, when Tom or I or anyone else pray during a service we are leading others in prayer and hopefully, in essence, praying
for those who simply do not know how to pray in that moment. There must be value and merit to people simply "agreeing" with us in prayer.
(The debater in me says "yes, but that very concession of heart, soul and mind is a solitary pursuit and I cannot join the individual there either." See, we cannot escape that solitary component.)
However, I am not sure that it is fair to judge the "success" or development of our prayer life simply by the efficacy of our "prayer closet" moments. Couldn't we equally see development during a gathering of "
Our Father..." type of prayers?
And so I wonder if simply "leading" prayer (prayers of invocation, benediction, etc) is sufficient. Is there merit in communally reciting the Lord's Prayer? Is there a need for responsive reading structures? While my non-creedal background recoils at it, could we be formed by praying through some of our legacy Creeds ("I Believe in God the Father." I believe Lord, help my unbelief)? And now I am at the heart of evangelical worship structure and how it is lived out in our own little community. Does our structure and heritage limit us?
I do not know.
But me simply saying "I cannot hold your hand in prayer" seems like a copout. In many ways perhaps I can. Perhaps that is the very nature of spiritual leadership and discipleship.
Thoughts? Anyone?
