A Methodist Way of Prayer

We Will Pray Daily - The First suggested question for us to consider is, “What is the pattern of your prayer life?”

Taking this a notion of ‘pattern’ to our daily prayer life, words like routine or habitual practice may come to mind and these can be seen either positive or negative terms. Theologians and Divines over the years have tried to guide us; here are just a few of their words of wisdom.

"Prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." - St. Therese of Lisieux

"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."- St. John Damascene

"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without heart." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Whether we realise it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him." - St. Augustine

"Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of Containing God's gift of himself." - Mother Theresa

"Do not make prayer a monologue...make it a conversation."- Author Unknown

Even reading these, can raise a sense of guilt; “it’s something I should do but I seem to falter so often!”

I feel a great affinity with Diane Moody in her book, “Confessions of a Prayer Slacker.” Where she works through many of the prayer maladies that beset the disciple. In one passage she puts into words what many of us feel in the statement, “I can never stay focused. My mind wanders, I figure that’s an insult to God, so I’m better off if I don’t pray at all.” She continues by calling this PADD (Prayer Attention Deficit Disorder”.)

One prescription for such a malady, Diane suggests, is found in the words of Anne Graham Lopez who suggests - “Have you ever considered that you have a divine appointment when you get up early for your quiet time of prayer and meditation on His Word? . . . That Jesus is patiently, personally waiting to meet with you there? . . . What a difference it would make in our attitude of expectancy and our habit of consistency if we truly wrapped our hearts around the knowledge that each is a divine appointment, that Jesus Himself is waiting to meet with us.”

The Northumbria Morning prayer always commences with these words. 

One thing I have asked of the Lord,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life;

to behold the beauty of the Lord

and to seek Him in His temple.

Call: Who is it that you seek?

Response: We seek the Lord our God.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?

Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.

Perhaps, putting a note in the diary “Appointment with God” may not be a bad idea.