How should we pray to God? Should we pray humbly (Lord, if it’s not too much, I just want to ask… ) or passionately (Great God, with all my heart please give me wisdom to do what is right and strength to avoid what is wrong… .)? Should we use formal language (Almighty and most merciful Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift… ), making sure we are as comprehensive as possible (Having offered words of praise and confession, I shall now present my prayers of intercession and supplication… )? Or, the $100 question, is it possible to pray “wrong?”
At its heart, prayer is a conversation that includes silence, trust, and hope. It’s not so much an act of talking to God as it’s an opening up of ourselves to God, not a public speaking recitation. Think of it more like entering a room where God is seated, or taking a walk beside Christ, or breathing in a deep, cleansing breath that includes the Holy Spirit. Think of it as a posture out of which words, thoughts, and concerns are humbly given voice.
Praying to God also involves silence, as we reflect on our words and create a space in which God can respond—through insights; inner peace; and yes, words we hear as we continue on through our day. Praying involves trust—the deep sense that we’re not alone and that the One who accompanies us truly wants what is best for us. The formula is this: Sincere prayer plus a spirit of trust always adds up to an attitude of persistent hope.
I don’t know if you can ever pray “wrong.” I know I’ve prayed for the wrong reasons; and at times I’ve prayed out of feelings of distraction, confusion, or obligation. There’ve even been prayers offered out of panic, usually involving a maliciously uncooperative home computer! However, God does not wait to listen to us until we can pray “right.” God is near, knows our needs before we ask, and is ever anxious to respond.
Prayer is also a discipline. So I wouldn’t worry that your prayer is being done poorly; rather find regular times to practice the art of praying and you’ll see how soon concerns about doing it “wrong” are invariably misplaced.
I’ll close with some quotes from prayers composed by animals (thanks to the creativity of poet Carmen Bernos de Gasztold). I appreciate their honesty and their simple wisdom. May they help enrich your own prayer life.
“A little patience, O God, I am coming.”—Prayer of the Tortoise
“Lord, I who see the world from above find it hard to get used to its pettiness.” – Prayer of the Giraffe
“Dear God, give me time. People are always so driven!”—Prayer of the Ox
“Lord, you try for a little while to walk on one foot carrying Your whole heaven on Your back.”—Prayer of the Snail
“Oh! What a worry! All these chicks to cherish and protect—can’t shut an eye even for a moment!”—Prayer of the Mother Hen
“Lord! Where was I? Oh yes! This flower, this sun, thank You! Your world is beautiful!… Where was I? Oh yes! Lord, I had something to tell You: Amen.” —Prayer of the Butterfly