It may surprise you to learn that those words were written by the great New Testament Biblical Scholar, Pauline theologian and Anglican Bishop –Tom Wright, in his book
“A moment of Prayer” (Lion Publications plc).
We are all different, but most of us feel that our prayer life is not always as it should be! Tom’s phrase encourages me. So too did the words often used by Canon Sydney Hall Evans the Dean of King’s College London, where I studied.
“Pray as you can, not as you can’t”
When I hear great pianists on Classic FM, playing music that I would never be able to play, I am tempted to give up piano playing altogether!
I guess the same can happen in our prayer life. We don’t feel very good at it…so why bother?..and we are tempted to give up. But prayer is a relationship, not a technique. Loving couples don’t give up just because they are going through a difficult patch. Many have learnt that lots of words at times like these may not be helpful. Instead they just sit quietly together, or get on with their ordinary life and let time heal.
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 40:10)
Be with the Father. Remember Jesus said “Surely, I am with you always to the end of time”. (Matthew 28:20). Be filled with the Holy Spirit and trust His guidance.
Be yourself with God who is eternally His loving self
Roger Vaughan