The morning I brought John to eat breakfast with my friend Ed, he commented on Ed’s prayer as we were driving home. “I’ve never heard a prayer like that,” John said. I’m used to praying with Ed, but sometimes he uses words more common in previous centuries. His mom was born in 1910 so her father was born in the 1800’s. As a boy, Ed would regularly spend Friday nights with his grandparents in Atlanta. He often speaks about the huge impact his grandfather had on his life. Now at eighty years old, Ed still prays the words his grandfather constantly lifted up to the Heavenly Father:
Father, keep us as the apple of Your eye in the hollow of Your hand under the shadow of Your wing. Order each step we take according to Your Word and let no sin have dominion over us. Grant unto us the blessed company of God and angels to keep us in each moment of danger that no evil may befall us. All these blessings and benedictions we pray in the precious Name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
“Into Your hands I commit my spirit.” (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46) These words Jesus uttered on the cross are also found in a Psalm of David. In his novel “Jesus,” Walter Wangerin proposed that Mary prayed these simple words with young Jesus every night before sleep. Perhaps without even realizing, we as parents, grandparents, and leaders teach others to pray.
The disciples knew their Master was a Man of prayer so they asked for instruction. “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As He finished, one of His disciples came to Him and said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ Jesus said, ‘This is how you should pray: Father, may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.’” (Luke 11:1-4)
May our prayers be prayers of faith that make a difference… and may they never cease.
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18