Designated prayer person - as clergy in the Christian tradition there is the thought, maybe assumption by some, that we pray over every meal. For those of you who do that - great. I applaud you and your devotion. I, however, am not one of those people. I have developed a more flippant set of prayers that range from "yay God" to "please do not let this go straight to my hips, thighs and butt. Amen." I'm also a champion at the "not it" games of finger on the nose, thumbs on the edge of the table, etc to not be the last person caught not doing this therefore having to pray over a meal.
It's not that I don't believe one should be thankful for food, hands who have prepared it and so on and so forth. It's just that I'm tired of being expected to recite rote prayers at meals. I get tired of having to remember who I'm with and where they are theologically and finding a balance of their belief system with mine. Trust me I really don't mind translating things in my head when it comes to theology of prayer. I'm very liberal and very much a Universalist so I often translate in my head the things I say so the prayer resonates with others.
But why am I the special pray"er?" Did I miss something in the Bible that said that when in the presence of clergy they must pray or it is not legitimate prayer? Did I miss part of my seminary graduation ceremony were a sign was placed above my head that reads "she'll pray all the time for it." I do pray. I pray a lot and in conventional ways often. But there are days and moments when I would just like to sit and have someone else be "it" and do the prayer.
Are people afraid that I, as clergy (a title that yes I hold but I would argue doesn't make me any more better at praying then you), I will be judging you on your prayer? Well if that is the case let me assure you 1) I am not judging you and 2) I am in fact praising God that you are praying. I say own your faith whatever it maybe, where ever it is and go with it. I'd rather have you pray a basic 1 liner then feel that you are not worthy to pray, especially out loud. Or lets go rouge here and what if we all just sat in silence and everyone could pray their own way.
I am also not saying that I hear by refuse to pray at a meal or public gathering. As clergy I do feel that I have a responsibility to pray publicly to show by example. However, I'm more then happy to let you do some public praying too. Remember even Jesus took a break - that one is in the Gospels. I did read that.
It's not that I don't believe one should be thankful for food, hands who have prepared it and so on and so forth. It's just that I'm tired of being expected to recite rote prayers at meals. I get tired of having to remember who I'm with and where they are theologically and finding a balance of their belief system with mine. Trust me I really don't mind translating things in my head when it comes to theology of prayer. I'm very liberal and very much a Universalist so I often translate in my head the things I say so the prayer resonates with others.
But why am I the special pray"er?" Did I miss something in the Bible that said that when in the presence of clergy they must pray or it is not legitimate prayer? Did I miss part of my seminary graduation ceremony were a sign was placed above my head that reads "she'll pray all the time for it." I do pray. I pray a lot and in conventional ways often. But there are days and moments when I would just like to sit and have someone else be "it" and do the prayer.
Are people afraid that I, as clergy (a title that yes I hold but I would argue doesn't make me any more better at praying then you), I will be judging you on your prayer? Well if that is the case let me assure you 1) I am not judging you and 2) I am in fact praising God that you are praying. I say own your faith whatever it maybe, where ever it is and go with it. I'd rather have you pray a basic 1 liner then feel that you are not worthy to pray, especially out loud. Or lets go rouge here and what if we all just sat in silence and everyone could pray their own way.
I am also not saying that I hear by refuse to pray at a meal or public gathering. As clergy I do feel that I have a responsibility to pray publicly to show by example. However, I'm more then happy to let you do some public praying too. Remember even Jesus took a break - that one is in the Gospels. I did read that.
Comments
Post a Comment