More than just confetti

I have a good friend who would always open his prayers when leading a group by saying, "Let's talk to God."

Prayer is a conversation with God, like conversation with that kind of old friend, that even if you haven't seen or spoken for years, you can pick up exactly where you left off.  That's prayer.  You know about each other and at some time you have made some kind of commitment to each other.

Prayer is about relationship.  We turn to another expecting that they will listen, care about what we are saying, and, even if unable to make anything change, stand with us.  We expect that of our friends.  We can expect it even more of God.

Not just at special times of the day, or special times in our lives.  No, we can pray as we drive or try to remain patient with children or bosses.  We can pray when we are frightened or joyous or lonely or thankful.  We can use ancient words that we have memorized or we can simply breathe out a thought.  We can doodle a design while we engage with God, or use beads on a bracelet or sit in absolute quiet.

Most of us start out with simple, egocentric prayers:  Please help me with this math test.  Lord, keep me out of the ditch (a good prayer for snowy roads).  Help me find a job.

But over time we find a deeper power to prayer: the power to ease our anxiety, change our attitudes and open new perspectives.  We find the power of praying for others; focusing on their needs and hurts and joys....sometimes even folks we don't know.

One thing prayer is not is confetti; just thrown into the air with hopes that someone gets pleasure from it.  It is a powerful tool to strengthen our faith, and a comfort in times of doubt or sorrow.  Pretty soon you are talking to God quite regularly and it won't seem strange at all.

Faith formation tool number two.