David, a friend from my college days, wrote to me asking for prayer. He and another friend from college days, Steve, soon travel to Nigeria to help a ministry they love.
In my reply to David, I sent part of an essay I’d written about prayer. He wrote back: “Thank you, Steve. What a wonderful word for me. I will take this with me on my trip.”
Perhaps you, too, will find my essay helpful. Here’s what I sent David:
Precarious Prayer
As part of my work, I meet with people. It is not unusual to talk about matters that are beyond us. We need God’s help. Sometimes, as part of our friendship, I offer to pray with them or for them.
One new friend told me: “I only pray when I get in precarious situations – skiing, kayaking, or biking.”
I replied: “I must think life is more precarious than you; I need to pray often!”
I hope he thought about my reply.
I thought about his.
His use of “precarious” got me wondering about its origin. “Precarious” is a legal word – “held through the favor of another.” What/who do we trust to hold us in this slippery life? In this harsh world, who will show us favor? The Online Etymological Dictionary (OED) says: “The notion of ‘dependent on the will of another’ led to the sense’ risky, dangerous, uncertain.'” Yes, we live in that kind of world.
But there is still more to “precarious.” “Precarious” is from the Latin – “precarious” (!) – “obtained by asking or praying” – from “prex” -“entreaty, prayer” (OED). Eureka!
What doors that connection opens! For example, when our relationships are “precarious,” shall we deny the risk? Shall we withdraw from the uncertainty? Shall we overpower the other person? Instead, with God’s help, let’s use the true meaning of “precarious.” Let’s embrace the danger with hope and PRAY.
Are you making the connection between “precarious” and “prayer?” Chew on that connection – taste it.
Lincoln understood: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient.”
Priorities of Prayer
As we in our precarious places call out to the omnipotent God of the universe, Jesus recommends that we leap over our distance from God by calling him: “Abba,” “Father,” “Papa.” We rightly should be intimidated in speaking to the GOD of the universe. But, Jesus chooses “Father” as the very first word of the pattern of prayer he wants his followers to embrace. Although our English versions translate the Greek of Matthew 6:9 as “Our Father,” the Greek begins: “Pater” (“Father”) “hemon” (“our”). Jesus, the Word made Flesh, chooses “Father” as the first word of prayer.
Remarkably, our word “pray” is related to our word “priority.” So, when we pray, we are declaring our “first words” – our words of priority, privilege, and significance. And, according to Jesus, “Father” is the “first” of our “first words.” Aha.
Two Other “Prayer” Words
Let’s also look at two other “prayer” words for more possible eureka discoveries.
Often our prayers are single-shot – “Help.” “Thanks.” “Wow.” “Sorry.” But, as we keep speaking our hearts first to our Father, naming what had been hidden/fearful/wonderful, we may begin to develop a kind of “eloquence” – from Latin – “eloquentia” – from “ex” – “out” + “loqui” – “to speak.” Investing ten thousand hours speaking your heart to the God of the universe adds to your eloquence.
In prayer, we find new ways to “adore”- from the Latin – “adorare” – “speak to formally, ask in prayer.” As we come to delight in speaking with our Father in heaven, awe and intimacy grow. We may become “orators” – “those who plead or argue for a cause.” The Latin root is “orare” – “speak before a court or assembly, plead, pray.” As we speak to God on behalf of others, we who are often so inarticulate may become orators!
Imagine speaking to God like this – you – we – eloquently adoring. Imagine praying like this for your spouse and children. Imagine praying like this for your neighbors and friends. Imagine praying like this for your leaders. As we seek to make this precarious, eloquent, adoring oratory a priority, we are emboldened by “Amazing Grace” John Newton: “You are coming to a King, large petitions with you bring; for his grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much; none can ever ask too much.”
Christian, pray; express the priority of your heart.
And know that Jesus prays for you – you are preeminent in his heart. “Christ Jesus who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also ‘interceding’ for us” (Rom 8:34). Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make ‘intercession’ for them” (Heb 7:25). The Greek word “intercede” in those verses literally means that the words Jesus speaks to God on our behalf are “spot on” – they “hit the bulls-eye.” What an Advocate!
Jesus, you express the priority of your heart. Please give us your heart and eloquence
