PRAYER
Isn’t one of the purposes of a blog to give an individual a forum to express his opinion about a specific subject, vent a pet peeve or just to put something in print? Is it possible for bloggers to face the same problem with their blogs that speakers face when speaking — starting one’s mouth (keyboard) before engaging his brain. To put it another way, starting a diatribe, making a statement or drawing a conclusion before thinking it through. The plain ole truth is that the process of thinking things through takes too long and besides that it takes the fun out of ranting.
This blog is not intended to be a diatribe or even an attempt to start an argument. Like the title of the blog, it is a thought off the top of my head. Just the same, I might need to put on a full set of body armor as I venture into a subject that some might feel is a personal matter. Here goes...

Where does it come from? How do you get it? Is it developed through practice or does it just happen? What in the world am I talking about? That vibrant, theological, steeple in the throat, talking though stained glass, often holier-than-thou voice that resonates from a person who recites, oh I mean leads, in public prayer. Do I have your ire up yet? Settle down, I’m talking to myself, too. Years ago, my music minister like to tease me about my “prayer voice.” He pointed out something about which I was not aware. He said I would begin my prayers in my deep, mellow “radio voice,” and then as I proceeded with my prayer the frequency of my voice would rise until it reached my normal pitch. This makes me wonder whether unconsciously many think that the WAY they pray affects the effectiveness of their prayers.

Take a journey down the aisle of most Christian bookstores and you will find many books that offer to teach you to pray in a way that guarantees God will answer. Can any of them make good on this claim? In my opinion, the answer is no. Think with me for a moment. The disciples had followed Jesus, heard Him teach and watched Him as He ministered to people. They were even there in His intimate moments when He talked with His Father. On one occasion after listening to Him pray, they came to Him and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray like that” (my words). You can read them for yourself in Luke 11:1. Notice, the disciples’ request was “Lord, teach us TO pray,” not “Lord teach us HOW to pray.” Keeping in mind that our prayers are not for the purpose of impressing others but rather our desire should be to communicate with God. we do not need to learn HOW to pray as much as we need to learn simply TO pray.

The time I have allotted myself to blogging has expired and I must get to the office — lots of work to do this morning. I will continue my thoughts on prayer the next time. What do you think so far?