On prayer
Susan Highwood considers the nature of prayer
If someone asked: ‘Do Friends pray and, if so, why, and how?’my answer would be: ‘Yes, they do pray.’ There are interesting, anonymous, contributions on this subject in the small booklet Twelve Quakers and Prayer produced by Quaker Quest. There are differing opinions regarding this practice. Some letters to the Friend have focused on ‘reading during worship’, with some contributors being tolerant and others less so. My own view is that if the reading matter is of a spiritual nature that is acceptable and not to be frowned upon. Or am I missing something?
So, why pray? My background is Methodist and I’ve known about Jesus since early childhood. My prayer life began in adulthood. Attending a Spiritualist church I read the Church of England report on its investigation of spiritualism, which said the committee were unimpressed with answers received to the question: ‘Has your prayer life, your sense of God, been strengthened by your spiritualist experiences?’ The question kept going around and around in my mind.
My prayer life was nonexistent and I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to know Jesus as a real presence in my life. It was not enough to just know about him. There is a big difference between these two things. I’ve come to regard Jesus as my dearest friend and that is now my answer to his question: ‘But who do you say that I am?’
My friendship with Jesus has taken years to develop and is still growing. I have had to learn how to trust in him. I believe in the power of prayer. I’ve experienced answered prayer. When I’ve asked for help I’ve never been let down. I feel as if I’m really being looked after. At times it makes me feel I’m pretty special to someone. That’s not meant to sound vain. I just have to tell it as it is. Don’t forget to say thank you when you receive help.
How do I pray? Initially I ‘asked’ Jesus to come into my life in a meaningful way. Each of us needs to take that step. Jesus does not impose himself upon us. He waits patiently for us to invite him into our lives. We may think we are making the first move, but I think we are actually responding to his overtures to us.
I’ve visited many churches and denominations – Methodist, Spiritualist, Anglican, Catholic, Unitarian and now Quaker. This has not been mindless repetition but an important part of my spiritual education. Sometimes it has taken courage to walk through a door not knowing what to expect. I hope I’ve gained a broad perspective and a balanced viewpoint.
Through reading articles in the religious press, and books, I discovered The Churches’ Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies, an ecumenical group promoting the study of psychical and religious experience within a Christian context. It has been my ‘spiritual home’ for more than forty years. Since attending Quaker Meetings I’ve also joined the Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies. I have no shadow of doubt that life continues after death. Years ago, the Spiritualist Church illuminated my understanding about the afterlife.
Today, many accounts of near-death or out of body experiences are confirming the same things. I pray by ‘talking’ to Jesus through my mind and heart, using normal everyday language. I try to be sincere and always try to examine my motives, thinking carefully about my request. ‘Listening’ is equally important and I need to pay more attention to this. Silence, solitude, stilling the mind and body, quiet reflection, meditation, a mantra, slow yoga breaths, can all help with attentiveness.
Prayer is an important part of my life and I use it every day, for myself and others. It has been a tremendous support during some of life’s challenging moments. It’s a wonderful resource, to be treasured and valued.
