Most Christians confess that they struggle with almost all aspects of prayer. They have done so in all generations. Yet I think we are a particularly poor generation of Christians when it comes to this duty. Among the many reasons for this are certainly the effect on our prayers of a low view of God and worship, and our mental laziness and poor concentration. Some generations, however, have excelled (at least in man’s reckoning). I think the Christians of the Reformation period were such a generation, and here is one of them giving some solid advice on the subject:

“When entering into prayer, God should be represented to the mind, and should be called upon by names, titles, or descriptions that are most apt to kindle the desires and help the faith of them that pray. If many and general requests are raised, then such titles and names must be used that may persuade the hearers that they shall be heard. If some particular petition is lifted up, then names and descriptions of God are to be used that may help the heart in that particular need. Abraham’s servant, praying for success in his master’s business, said, ‘O Jehovah, God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham’ (Gen. Ch. 24 v. 12). When Peter entreated God to choose an apostle to supply the place of Judas, he said, ‘Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast choose’ (Acts Ch. 1 v. 24). When David prayed against the enemies of God and his children, he said, ‘O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth, O God to whom vengeance belongeth, shew theyself’ (Ps. 94 v. 1). When he magnified God’s name, and incited all people to pray unto him, and praise him, he spoke to God in this description: ‘O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come’ (Ps. 65 v. 2). A wise choice of apt names and titles with which to represent God shows knowledge of him, and wisdom is needed to make use of his different attributes. God is delighted to behold both knowledge and wisdom mixed with faith in his children.” (Henry Scudder {Puritan}, A Key of Heaven: the Lord’s Prayer Opened, pp.122-3)

Although it is undoubtedly true that, “One sigh and groan from a broken heart is better pleasing to God than all human eloquence” (Thomas Brooks {Puritan}, The Privy Key of Heaven), ought we not to take great pains to improve how we pray? Is it acceptable to God for us to go on year after year never rising above ‘and we just ask, Lord, that you would just —- at this time, Lord, and just bless us, Lord, and just make us love you more, Lord …’? Not that a new convert should have great things expected of him, or that those who are not comfortable speaking in public should be expected to stir us with great oratory, but surely we are all guilty of too much mental laziness in our prayers, public and private, and surely we are way too indifferent about the content and form of our prayers? Are we not all too content with mindless clichés? Are we not to worship God with all of our mind, as well as our heart?

One thing that has helped me greatly over the years has been to slow down enormously and pause for thought (trying not to fill those caps with just about any word or noise other than a silence ). Another has been to stop trying to work up emotion and somewhat mindless heat. Perhaps we should also read more written prayers; not necessarily as prayers offered, though I don’t believe that is wrong on occasion, but just to learn from how others prayed. Many of Calvin’s prayers are fine examples for us to follow, as are the prayers of the Puritans and Church Fathers like Augustine. The Scriptures, of course, are packed full of the prayers of past saints for our edification and instruction; especially the Book of Psalms.

G.M.