Day 4 Readings and Reflection by Friar Deacon Tom Rich, a Tertiary member of the Society of the Atonement, or TSA.
Praying together: “I do not call you servants any longer… but I have called you friends” (John 15:15)
- Romans 8:26-27, The Spirit helps us in our weakness
- Luke 11:1-4, Lord, teach us to pray
God thirsts for a relationship with us. God searches for us as God searched for Adam, calling him in the garden: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
In Christ, God came to meet us. Jesus lived in prayer, intimately united to his Father, while creating friendships with his disciples and all those he met. He introduced them to that which was most precious to him: the relationship of love with his Father, who is our Father. Jesus and his disciples sang psalms together, rooted in the richness of their Jewish tradition. At other times, Jesus retired to pray alone.
Prayer can be solitary or shared with others. It can express wonder, complaint, intercession, thanksgiving or simple silence. Sometimes the desire to pray is there, but one has the feeling of not being able to do so. Turning to Jesus and saying to him, “teach me,” can pave the way. Our desire itself is already prayer.
Getting together in a group offers us support. Through hymns, words and silence, communion is created. If we pray with Christians of other traditions, we may be surprised to feel united by a bond of friendship that comes from the One who is beyond all division. The forms may vary, but it is the same Spirit that brings us together.
Lord Jesus, your entire life was prayer, perfect harmony with the Father. Through your Spirit, teach us to pray according to your will of love. May the faithful of the whole world unite in intercession and praise, and may your kingdom of love come. Amen.
You may also visit the GEII website at geii.org to find about more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.