Let Us Pray: The First Prayer

The first prayer occurred in a garden, not a church.  It was done walking, not kneeling.  It was conversational, not liturgical.  It took place in and around Genesis 1:28 when God gave Adam and Eve their first assignment, and they accepted it.

Whatever else prayer has become since that time, we learn some foundational things that should not change, no matter how we may add to the theology and practice of prayer.

First, prayer is meant more for all the days of our lives than one particular day.  It is a gift from God to be used in the world, not just in the sanctuary or in a daily “quiet time.”

Second, prayer more likely occurs as we move through life with our eyes wide open than it does in a particular posture with our heads bowed and eyes closed.

Third, prayer is more like a visit between friends than a meeting between an employer and employees.

Finally, prayer deals with our ongoing routines and responsibilities, not just the “religious” aspects of our lives.

As we move through the Bible, we will learn a lot more about prayer.  But we won’t learn anything that alters what we have learned in the first prayer.

 

About Steve Harper

Dr. Steve Harper is retired seminary professor, who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies. Author and co-author of 51 books.. He is also a retired Elder in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
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1 Response to Let Us Pray: The First Prayer

  1. Tom Pope says:

    Great teaching on prayer. Thanks

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