C-19 Reflection #37: Useless Praying

C-19 Daily Reflection (#37)

Theme: Useless Praying

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Reflection:

I’ve noticed that my list of hoped for developments or desired outcomes, from this unusual season, is largely unformed and quite short. It’s not that my mind and heart are inactive or stalled or completely disoriented, because in some sense the opposite is actually the case. On the contrary, my mind is actually too full with questions, thoughts, ideas, themes, names and concerns; but clear aspirations or firm goals and plans not so much.

However, if I had to name a hope that is beginning to form in me at this stage, it would be that we grow in prayer, not because we have nothing else to do just now, but because this is our privilege and calling as God’s people. This is why once in a while in these daily resources, I touch on prayer in some sort of way, with a Psalm, a set prayer or a quick thought on prayer.

Henri Nouwen’s reflection below helps us to grow on this journey to prayer in an important way, especially when we might be feeling just a little bit ineffective or useless.

“Prayer is not a way of being busy with God instead of with people. In fact, it unmasks the illusion of busyness, usefulness, and indispensability. It is a way of being empty and useless in the presence of God and so of proclaiming our basic belief that all is grace and nothing is simply the result of hard work. Indeed, wasting time for God is an act of ministry, because it reminds us and our people that God is free to touch anyone regardless of our well-meant efforts. Prayer as an articulate way of being useless in the face of God brings a smile to all we do and creates humor in the midst of our occupations and preoccupations.

Thinking about my own prayer, I realize how easily I make it into a little seminar with God, during which I want to be useful by reading beautiful prayers, thinking profound thoughts, and saying impressive words. I am obviously still worried about the grade! It indeed is a hard discipline to be useless in God’s presence and to let him speak in the silence of my heart. But whenever I become a little useless I know that God is calling me to a new life beyond the boundaries of my usefulness.”