Prayer – Who, Me? 

 

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

— Mary Oliver, Thirst

 

 

Prayer is not for the angelic or articulate few. In fact, I invite all of you to consider jumping into the upcoming Prayer Class with Rev. Diane, which fulfills one requirement to join the Prayer Team or the Chaplain program.

Maybe you think, like I did, “I don’t really get how prayer works and, anyway, I’m too embarrassed to actually pray out loud with other people. What would I say?”

But that’s where the magic comes in – because the Prayer Class with Rev. Diane is AWESOME (I’ve taken it three times!).  You’ll gain confidence with different forms of prayer and practice with other students in a safe friendly space.

 

You can take the Prayer Class with no further obligation, but if you join the Prayer Team, which you can do quietly at home, you’ll  gain further practice with prayer and contribute to your church family.

If you decide to step into the yearlong commitment as a Chaplain, you’ll receive even more training and practice by praying with congregants each month, a wonderful way to feel more connected. You’ll also learn how to hold sacred space for another person or situation, discern the root of prayer needed, and support people confidentially during these turbulent times.

Another bonus, you’ll belong to a kind, supportive, smaller community within the church. We have fun and grow in friendship. We even have parties!  The Prayer Chaplain training is held only once a year, in the fall, so if you are interested, please let Rev. Diane know. You can also catch any of us in the snappy purple stoles on Sundays for a loving prayer or to ask us questions about our experience being a Chaplain.

 

I want to share a personal experience of prayer.

Recently I woke  in the night feeling unhappy for multiple reasons. My husband was having serious eye infections and there’d been obstacles that day getting him the medicine he needed. Grief came up for my father who passed away over a year ago. And an old regret rose from my daughter’s childhood.  Yikes!

After looping through this middle-of-the-night stew a couple of times, I decided to pray. It was really simple like “Help!” or “I’m remembering God!”   I didn’t hear any big voice from the sky but my mind began to fill with small kindnesses that Carl and I had received that day from medical staff.  Memories of dear friends and fun we’d had over the years showed up, along with the steady presence of trees and flowers around our home. A warm peaceful feeling came over me and I knew this was the answer to my prayer. Thank you!

 

Being a member of Seattle Unity on the Prayer Team and as a Chaplain has given me the ability to pray more easily and effectively, and to even remember to pray! I’m grateful our church offers these powerful programs and invite you to consider them for yourself.

Like Mary Oliver said: “this isn’t a contest / but the door way into thanks, and a silence in which / another voice may speak.…”

M.C. Hammer: “We got to pray just to make it today….”

 

-Marcia Rutan

 

 

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