Borrowed Prayer

Every night my wife and I make a concerted point to tuck our two little girls into bed with an end of day prayer. A short moment to quiet their minds from the day’s activities and thank the Lord for the day. The habitual routine has taught them not only how to bring the day to a close but offers a simple way for them to discover the joy of prayer. I often repeat particular words and phrases in the hopes it will help give them words they know they too can pray. The addition of this simple consistent element helps their young hearts understand the importance of the actual words we choose when we pray. 

In my own prayer closet I have discovered the strength of pouring out scripture and consistent petitions before my Heavenly Father. Borrowing from the prayers of such men as King David, the Biblical patriarchs and Christ Himself enables me to speak the Holy Spirit’s language. This process began many years ago when I was just a young child. Though never a conscious process rather merely an out flowing of God’s word being written on my heart. The more I draw close to God through His word the more His word seems to draw close to me. Passages and verses become part of my normal speech. In the anguish of our souls the words of Jesus ring truer than anything we could ever conjure. What better way to please a jealous savior than to repeat His very own words in prayer. 

The disciple Matthew expertly recounted the moment when he too learned to pray the words of Jesus. Our savior outlined very specific instructions on what to pray, where we should pray and when we should do so. Prayer should remain a very personal thing. It must never be taken lightly. So often we observe large numbers of church goers and pastors loudly proclaiming prayers in worship services and events. Yet, seldom in scripture do we witness such an exhibit. Instead, we are instructed to “…go into your room and shut the door and pray to your heavenly Father who is in secret.” The Holy Spirit searches the inner depths of our hearts and in the most secret places of our hearts He can be found. Matthew further dictated Christ’s instructions when he stated “…do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do,” What we say remains just as important as where we say it. As this passage reminds us, it’s not the number of words we utter but what we say from the heart. 

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And you Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty words phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Matthew 6:6-7 (ESV)

Often our prayers might reflect the most desperate of scripture passages. Much of prayer remains an outpouring of weakness before the Lord. No wonder the Holy Spirit must intercede with “…groaning too deep for words.” There are just some things our fallen minds cannot grasp. We need an intercessor who will say what we cannot. In the days before Christ’s first coming, the prophet Hosea instructed the children of Israel to “Take with you words and return to the Lord.” He further went on to compose precise statements for them to speak; imploring God for mercy and confessing their sin. The advice holds true in our present day. I often find myself thinking about things I want to pray when next in the prayer closet. Considering prayers, what we want to say ahead of time, helps prepare our hearts for approaching the throne. 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Romans 8:26 (ESV)

When my boys were much younger, I’d sometimes overhear them discussing amongst themselves how they might ask to watch a movie or obtain an extra snack. They determine the best way to influence my decision in their favor. Who will ask daddy and the conditions surrounding their request were among the considerations. It always made me smile to observe the process. I think we do the same with our Heavenly Father and He probably gets the same kick out of watching us figure out how to ask for something. If, by the Holy Spirit, we have died to our sin we gain the right to be children of God. We can indeed go before Him with words pouring out of our heart, calling “Abba! Father!” and be heard. Let us take time to find words in scripture, search our hearts and let the Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf when we prostrate before Him. Though your words are borrowed take care to make sure you always borrow from the best.  

Take words with you so they say
Notation on heart shaped stone 
Lofty prose with enchantment pray
Make loud petitions all your own

Nothing new comes to mind
What can be said of hurt or care
To please the master of this time
Except the plea of this borrowed prayer

Depart from me a sinner Lord
Apart from You I have no good thing
Deserving no pity but Your sword
A pauper’s soul to passions cling

A stupid man in priestly dress
Grant me neither plenty nor want
But give me only my daily bread
Remove idle cares from my thought

Immerse in hyssop to make me clean
Too deep the words these groans I hear
The divine incarnate must intercede
Please except my borrowed prayer