Just Say Jesus
I remember when I was very young, sitting in church and listening. Listening to what seemed like one of the most eloquently worded prayers ever offered to our Most High God. It was the early 70s. The pews were wooden. Hymnals lined the back of each pew. Situated in central Minnesota, the church was large for the community, holding maybe a couple hundred people.
Looking back now, it saddens me that this was how I was introduced to prayer. I imagine, however, that many have the same or similar first exposure in a setting such as this. The prayers sounded rehearsed, memorized and poetic, being both calm and concise. Although it was unspoken, few were allowed to pray out loud. The average parishioner was not included in that group of selected individuals. This left me not knowing how to pray:
Was I to mimic the one who’s praying?
Was I to pray my own words silently?
Could I just listen and direct God’s attention to the one that was praying?
Years later, this all sounds foolish yet it explains why prayer was never the center of my life. I was pretty good at the “rescue me” prayers. I even offered “bargains prayers” to God such as, “If you get me out of this situation God, I will never sin again.” Again, foolishness.
I was familiar with the prayer habits of Jesus. He was known to spend time, particularly early mornings, alone with His Father as is found in Mark 1:35 where we read:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
Not being a morning person, this intrigued me and I was a bit envious of this ability. He was the Son of God after all, wasn’t this easy for Him to get up before daylight? Yet Jesus was fully human and fully God. This meant He got tired. I am sure very tired. He had a busy schedule! I am guessing He enjoyed sleeping just as much as I do! Even so, He intentionally made time to be alone to talk with His Father.
The day that it became real to me that God just wanted me also to talk and to be with Him, was pivotal in my relationship with Him. No need for words that the average person can’t pronounce. No need for limited access. No need to question my role. The time of day didn’t matter. Word choice was not judged. What mattered was my heart and my attention to Him.
All He asks of us when we pray is to simply offer:
Praises
Requests
Confessions
Gratitudes
Some times even this is difficult and we struggle with what to say. In the words of Christian rock band 7eventh Time Down, when all else escapes us we can “Just say Jesus.”
JW