Reflection: Habits grow old

Duty dulls delight.

Habits can be like that. Ho hum! Here we are again, saying grace.

Or worse, habits can be costumes that belie the truth: impressive words, but empty prayers. *

Neither God nor we get satisfaction out of thankless prayer.

So, here’s the challenge.

When saying grace loses its potency, change the menu. Get creative.

Nest your prayers in some less familiar Scripture. Learn some new songs. Write a new compline/night prayer. Brainstorm ideas with friends. Learn from Christians in other cultures.

I read about one family who shared, “What our family has started doing is having the kids say, ‘God is great, God is good’ and then my wife and I will follow with an extemporaneous prayer thanking the Lord for … something special … especially [giving] thanks for Jesus Christ and his resurrection.”

The apostle Paul began his letter to the Ephesian church (and us!) by saying grace. Though he described them as strong in faith that didn’t keep him from praying that their hearts and minds would be stirred.

Prayer:

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.**

For what we are about to receive,

may the Lord make us truly thankful.              (an Anglican prayer)

*As an example, the worst prayer in the Bible starts with ‘Thank you…’ (Luke 18:11-12)

**Ephesians 1:18-20 (NLT)