Prayer is a gift

Family Ties

The morning after my grandmother died, I drew comfort from the daily prayer selection in Swallow's Nest, by Marchiene Vroon Rienstra. Psalm 23 was one of the readings, offered with feminine pronouns. I road, "Because El Shaddai shepherds me, my deepest needs are met.... She restores me, body and soul. She leads me in the paths of wholeness. "

Such phrases seemed particularly soothing as I marked my grandmother's passing, recalling the strong outpouring of productivity and caregiving which had flowed from her hands. A second psalm (103) noted "You know how fragile our bodies are.... They so quickly return to dust!" The biblical texts were perfect for my spirit's needs that day.

The tradition of daily prayers using the Psalms or other Scriptures is a long one in the Christian church. Mennonites have joined in a revival in this practice. A distinctly Anabaptist prayer book, Take Our Moments and Our Days, has been produced by Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. It offers a four-week cycle weaving together faith-shaping biblical passages with hymns and prayers.

One benefit I've received from daily prayers includes the manner in which the texts capture my concerns in ways I could not articulate. Often biblical phrases have a timeless capacity to express our yearnings to God. This has been most powerful when I've been most silent, most troubled, and least able to form words around my struggle.

Family relationships benefit from prayer. My parents knelt side by side at their bed and prayed every night of their 50-year marriage. Alternating the lead, they prayed through the childhood struggles and adolescent perils of their children, and the aging frailty of their parents. Each night they closed in unison reciting the Lord's Prayer. I believe their prayers embraced, protected and guided their children in ways too numerous to count.

My niece, born when I was 27, is a close companion, although we've lived far apart most of our lives. We sing our prayers to each other during our regular phone calls, and when we meet face to face. We often pray the gospel hymns we both know from childhood. Such prayers link us in faith and family, from the past to our hopes for the future.

At the age of 96, my grandmother's death was not a surprise. In the previous months, she had gone to death's door on several occasions. Family gathered around, and each time she turned from death, rallied and began speaking and eating again. Keeping vigil on such occasions can be emotionally and physically wearing. Over the phone, I heard my mum's weariness, and longed to share her load. "Can I pray for you?" I finally asked, and mum, with a deep sigh, assented. The Spirit breathed words and comfort into our prayer, blessing us with peace.

Prayer is a gift, available at any moment. Whether we use prayer books, our own spontaneous words, music, silence or many other forms, we have access to the rich resources of the Spirit through prayer. What a great gift to share with our families!

[Sidebar]

Family relationships benefit from prayer.

[Author Affiliation]

Melissa Miller is a family life consultant, pastoral counsellor, and author from Winnipeg.