You intend to pray, saying aloud whatever words occur to you. You’ve chosen a place and time. You even have assumed your preferred posture. What do you say first? Nothing. Let there be a moment of silence first. Remember that prayer is paying attention to God. It helps to pay attention by being quiet. Take a few deep breaths and sink into the silence letting your thoughts range. You might reflect on how God has been present in the things around you. You might think about the human condition–after all we are created in the image of God. You might recall someone you know who is in need. You might even consider yourself. Then, begin the spoken part of prayer by calling on God.

Martin Luther suggested beginning the first prayer of the day with the invocation, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” while making the sign of the cross. I start the day with a different method of prayer, using the words “O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise” (Psalm 51:15). You might say dear Father or mighty God, or blessed Trinity or Lord or sweet Jesus. There are an almost unlimited number of possibilities. Use whatever seems right to you.

We start to pray by calling on (invoking) God. We express our intention to pray by addressing God. This isn’t to get God to pay attention to us, but to remind us we are to pay attention to God.

Read Isaiah 51:1-8, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+51&version=NRSV