The Prayers Are Too Long

I wish I could say that the title for this post originated in the head of some unbeliever who happened to be in church on Good Friday when we prayed the Bidding Prayer.  I wish I could say it was my eight year son who hates to sit still who thought it.  But it was me, the Pastor leading the prayers at the front of the Church.

For those that do not know, the Bidding Prayer is a prayer that strings together something close to a dozen collects or prayers.  And not only are there that many of them, in this particular prayer, we stop to mention who we are going to pray for each time before we actually pray. 

But if I am truthful, I have uttered the title of this post in my heart more times than I can count during my life and not just during the Bidding Prayer.  Sometimes, the Prayer of the Church prayed ever Sunday seems a little too long.  I am tempted to skip a petition or two just to speed things along.  Other times it is during an prayer spoken by someone else as they pour our their concerns to God.

But here is what I know.  The prayers are not too long.  That is not the problem.  I am the problem.  Every time I think the prayers are too long, I am forgetting several important truths:

1.  God has given us his ear.  Yes, the almighty God has bent over and is listening to each of those prayers offered.  We have a chance to speak to the Creator and Redeemer of all things, and I, the pastor, think we should cut it short.  I prove I do not treasure this gift as I should.

2.  There is much in need of prayer.  The truth is that if we had a collect for everything just in dire need of prayer in our immediate context, the collects would never end.  There are so many things and people that need the help of God.  And yet, I think I should cut out a petition here or there.  Let’s see.  Who doesn’t need our prayer this week?  Our president who makes critical choices each day?  Parents who are struggling to raise their children in the fear of God amidst a world that is warring against such conviction?  The Christians who are being asked to choose their faith or their life?  When I want shorter prayers, I prove I have forgotten how much is broken in the world.

3.  Prayer is effective.  I have never understood why God orders His world according to the prayers of His weak and sinful people, but the Scriptures are clear that He does.  He hears prayers that ascend to Him and He acts upon them.  Prayers offered in faith matter to His Kingdom and to the world.  I suppose the real truth is that I want shorter prayers because I often doubt that prayers do much of anything. Therefore, I think they are not worth a few extra moments.

4.  Patience and self-control are fruits of the Spirit.   Getting antsy with the things of God is of the flesh.  Desiring to move on to other things that are more exciting or pleasurable is a sour grape brought forth by the old self.  Instead of limiting the prayers, I ought  to add another petition for me, that I might have the patience and self-control to pray with my whole self as long as is needed.

Oh no doubt, the Lord warns that prayers babbled on at length for show are not something He desires.  But that is not what I am talking about.  And quite frankly, I am not sure in our attention-deficit society that is much of a temptation for most.  But to weary of prayer quickly? That is quite common.  It is not just me who struggles with that.

The prayers are not too long.  I am too weak.  Lord, have mercy.  Amen.