Saying our Prayers

I'm reading a book called Becoming Jesus' Prayer: Transforming your Life Through the Lord's Prayer by Bishop Gregory V Palmer, Cindy M McCalmont and Brian K Milford.

The first line in Chapter 1 says, "'Saying one's prayers is not the same as praying.'"  This is a line from Anne of Green Gables, spoken by the title character.  I was struck by the line. It's true, isn't it?

I had a pastor once who would speed through the Lord's Prayer when he led the congregation in praying it.  We asked him in a meeting one time if he could slow down a little.  "I'm just praying it as I would pray it," he replied (or something close to that).  Unfortunately, we do sometimes pray the prayer without thinking about it.  We say the prayer without praying.

Truthfully, I resented the high speed of the prayer when he led us. I didn't want to pray it that fast. What I learned is that I could pray it without saying it, and just let the prayers of others wash over me, praying with them silently. It quieted my resentment while surrounding me in the prayers of others.  I recommend that you try it.

We do sometimes take a casual approach to prayer.  "I'll pray for you," is commonly heard, but when I say it, I don't always do it. I hope God hears our prayers even when we are not very good at praying them. I hope we hear God at least a little when we aren't very good at listening.