The Essence of Prayer

The thing to remember is how
unimpressed he is with prayer as theater.
He sees that behind the piety lurks the pride
of those who love not prayer, but applause.

 
Remember, too, he does not want mere babbling
of words while the heart is not engaged.
He sees those who think they prove their sincerity
by the volume of words prayed and the
hours spent in praying them.

 
The necessity he wants is a solitary place;
the door shut to counterpoise disturbance
and distraction, the prying eyes of others.
He wants us to know who he is; who meets us there;
almighty, eternal, majestic, a consuming fire,
the unchanged absolute holy God.

 
He teaches us prayer at its foundation
is not a matter of mathematics but
its essence is the converse of Father
with child. Repeated tarriance in holy space
deepens existing intimacy, nurtures obedience;
becomes our way of living with him
who knows what we need before we ask.

DAS