We live in the wonderfully peaceful town of New Canaan, and for the privilege of living here, I am truly thankful. Recent world news headlines, however, have been deeply saddening. The news of the fire that raged through Lahaina in Maui, killing over a hundred people and destroying the homes of thousands more; the earthquake just 50 miles southwest of Marrakesh, Morocco, killing over 2,000 people and ruining tens of thousands of homes; the recent floods and dams which burst near Derna, Libya, killing over 5,000 people and ruining over 20,000 homes; not to mention the ongoing war in Ukraine which has claimed the lives of almost 10,000 and injured almost 18,000 civilians has left so many feeling helpless and wondering what to do?
At a Clergy association meeting a couple years ago we were brainstorming about how we as faith community leaders could promote unity and civility in New Canaan. My Presbyterian approach was to bring in a guest speaker. “Let’s get David Brooks to come speak about his ideas on ‘weaving’ the fabric of community!” Father (now Monseigneur) Rob Kinnally suggested we have a prayer service. We all knew Rob stated the obvious: prayer was the most important thing we could do together.
Prayer reorients our actions.
The English word prayer comes from the Old French, prier, which means to petition or request. In Synagogues, Churches and Mosques, etc., prayer is common. We’ve recently added to our Worship at the First Presbyterian Church a moment to light “The Candle for God’s Global Vision of Compassion, Justice and Peace.” We light a candle and pray for people suffering or challenges. Prayer connects what we are doing in Worship with the cries of God’s people in the world. Being specific reminds us that sometimes we are called to be an answer to others’ prayers in the world. We are reminded that God cares more about doing justice, loving kindness, and walking more humbly in the world than about any words we might say.
One of the things that impressed me most when I first came to New Canaan (in August of 2020), was what happens at the beginning of different service club meetings. At every Exchange Club meeting (plan to buy your Christmas trees at Kiwanis Park in December), and at every Rotary Club meeting (order your dinner online for Lobsterfest now) we do two things to begin every meeting: We say the Pledge of Allegiance, and pray together. At first I felt like I was at grammar school, but quickly realized it’s good to remember our American core values, “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” And… it’s good to pray together! We never offer sectarian or religious specific prayers, but take a moment to name what’s on our hearts before our “Higher Power” and remember that everyone is fighting a battle. Prayer reorients our hearts and minds. Prayer reorients our actions.
After her recent victory at the US Open to become the Women’s Singles’ Champion, one of the first things Coco Gauff did was kneel down in Arthur Ashe Stadium to say a prayer. She explained to commentators, “I was just saying thank you, and I understood all the tough times were just to make that moment even sweeter…” She went on, “I don’t pray for results, I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all. Whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life…”
On the same day as Coco’s interview, we remembered the 22nd anniversary of 9-11. When we did a ten-year anniversary 9-11 memorial in Paris, inviting Ambassador Charles Rivkin to lay a wreath at the foot of the Statue of Liberty on the Seine River, we also invited two Rabbis, two Priests and two Imams to offer prayers in memory of the victims and families of all victims of the attacks and ensuing wars. I will never forget how moved I was to hear one of the Imam’s songs of lament in Arabic. I was close enough to see the tears streaming down his face.
Prayer, of course, is a basic spiritual discipline for all of the major faith traditions. It may take different forms and be spoken or sung in different languages. It can be offered in a Temple, Mosque, Sanctuary, Ashram, or at the office, while walking in the woods, in a car, or while tossing and turning in the wee hours of the night. Prayer is something we all can “do” – in our own way and in our own traditions – not only to make our requests known to God, but to listen for God “speaking” into our lives and life together. Sometimes we say prayers alone and sometimes together. Sometimes we pray aloud, and sometimes in silence. Sometimes our prayers take the form of action. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, founded the Center for Action and Contemplation. He says the “and” is the most important word in that title!
Whatever your faith orientation may be, I encourage you to pray. I’ve always appreciated two quotes C.S. Lewis offered on prayer. The first is to be honest and not contrived: “We must lay before God what is in us; not what ought to be in us.” Secondly, like Coco confessed, while we can pray for outcomes, that’s not the primary purpose of prayer. Lewis writes, “I pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God – it changes me.” We can’t stop all the pain and suffering in our world, and we can’t send money or offer aid for every crisis in the world. Maybe we can pray without ceasing, but we can’t pray without caring. Praying can change our feeling helpless into deciding to help. Either way, as Meister Eckhart wrote, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”
The Rev. Dr. Scott Herr is one of the Clergy serving the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.
