Listening to the Prayers of Old Men
Rich Mullins is one of my favorite contemporary Christian songwriters. Though I may be a tad prejudiced, Rich seemed to have a way of painting pictures of life on the canvas of a musical staff that were especially meaningful to me. Whether it be about the awesome nature of our God, the wonders of God’s creation, or the simple images of growing up with faith and prayers, Rich’s words often represented my own feelings and experiences.
In his song, “Boy Like Me, Man Like You,” Rich describes,
I was twelve years old in the meeting house
Listening to the old men pray
I was trying hard to figure out
What it was that they was trying to say
When I was twelve years old, the preachers and the elders were the men who prayed in front of our congregation. The elders often offered a prayer at our time of communion in the worship service. They would give a short devotion or meditation about the meaning of the communion service, closing their thoughts with a word of prayer. Some of their prayers were wordy. Some of their prayers used King James Version English. Some of their prayers used big theological words like propitiation, sanctification and righteousness. Some of their words rambled … and I had to try hard to figure out what it was that they were trying to say.
Except Floyd. Floyd was an older elder whose eyes sparkled through an old man’s glasses. He was always well groomed, dressed in a suit and tie, and sporting a smile that glistened from ear to ear. When Floyd prayed, his words were gentle and soft. He always seemed to pray to the point. While others prayed loudly with many words, as if trying to capture God’s attention or somehow impress Him, Floyd prayed like he actually knew God and talked to Him often. When I grew up, I wanted to pray like Floyd.
On Good Friday, my thoughts are swirling as to what to write about that will help focus our hearts and prepare us for Easter. The temptation is to turn attention to the death of Christ and the cross. About the time that I wandered off to Seminary, Josh McDowell published the book, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict.” One of the chapters contains a vivid description by a medical physician of what would happen to the body during a crucifixion. For many those words were brought to life by Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ.” There is no question that meditating on such concepts takes us down a more traditional path of preparing for Easter.
But since this Easter we are trying to walk a different path of preparation, let’s choose to think about prayer. In the 17th chapter of John, the apostle records the words of a prayer offered by Jesus before he traveled with the disciples to Gethsemane and his betrayal, trials and crucifixion. His words were not focused on his own troubles, but for the well-being and strength of the disciples. Jesus even prays for those who would come to believe through the message of the disciples … you and me.
Later in the garden, Jesus prays intensely, sweating as it were drops of blood. When facing sure dilemma, my words are few, but my passion is great. “Please God, don’t let this happen.” Jesus’ thoughts seemed to take him to a calmer, gentler resolution. “This is about your will, not mine.” I am drawn to want to pray for God to change His mind. Loud cries. Big words. Trying to capture His attention. Jesus seemed to say softly, “Thanks God for helping me change my mind.” Prayer shouldn’t be persuasive communication toward God. It should be my obedient agreement with God.
Sometimes God’s plan includes a difficult journey. Divorce. Financial disasters or ruin. Cancer. A prodigal child. Abuse. They aren’t paths that we would choose for ourselves, are they? Perhaps that’s what James meant when he reminds us that when we go through trials, we shouldn’t say that God is tempting us. Rather we should count it joy, knowing that the trial can be a part of God’s plan to bring about strength and perseverance in your life. I bet that is why Paul tells us that it was for the joy set before him that Jesus endured the cross. Michael Card reminds us that there is “joy in the journey” – joy in a life lived in step with God’s will.
Sometimes God’s plan can seem overwhelming, discouraging, disheartening. In fact, it may even appear that God has abandoned you, turned His back on you, forsaken you. But lest you be stuck on the first verses of Psalm 22, allow your mind – just as Jesus did – to go further into the Psalm and hear David’s words:
For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help.
David closes the Psalm by saying,
Future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Let Good Friday remind you that things are not always as they seem. Tony Campolo tells the story of the old preacher who proclaimed, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!” Let Good Friday change your prayers to reflect that you know the One who holds both the Fridays and the Sundays.
Maybe that’s why Floyd’s prayers were different.
