When you don't know what to pray for, or you feel too overwhelmed to ask...
There were a few things I thought of mentioning at the time of bagster's death, but didn't do so because I don't know how he would feel about my sharing it. But he always wanted the best for yuze guys so I'm posting something that helped him in case it helps others.
Background: A Christian radio station had a suggestion about how to pray when you don’t know what to pray for. They said ‘just say the name of the Lord, Jesus, over and over again. He knows what you need.’
Frankly I didn’t like the idea at first; I kind of rebelled when our pastor once said something similar (e.g., power in His name, monks would whisper His name while sweeping the floor or performing other mundane tasks). I didn’t like it because it sounded rote, or unthinking.
BUT, at a time I was so stressed out at work I couldn’t climb three steps because my shoes would fall off in full view of the Board of Directors (because I was so nervous my feet were sweating) I decided to try it on my way to work.
I just kept softly saying ‘Jesus,’ sometimes aloud and sometimes silently to myself, as I drove. My mind would try to multi-task (worry, pray and drive at the same time), but I just kept returning to the task of saying His name when I caught myself worrying. When I arrived to work 20 minutes later, I was incredibly calm and composed (and I could climb stairs!).In his last days, bagster was struggling with pain. We were about to hang up the phone for the night, and sleep was far away from him because of the pain. He sounded depressed that hours of struggle lay ahead and he could only hope for exhausted sleep eventually.
I told him I knew how he felt about the ‘god stuff’ I talk about, but that he really needed relief and there was something I tried that helps me. I told him what I learned about the power of the name of the Lord, and asked him to try it. I explained what I did when I tried it, and advised him, “You don’t have to be particularly reverent. He understands. Just try to return to saying His name when your mind wanders.”
The next time we spoke, he made a point of telling me that he tried it, and it worked. We were both relieved to know there was comfort for him when medicine is not enough.
I just wrote a version of this to CheshireTheCat in case it could be of use, and then I thought I should have written it to FReeQs when bagster died, because we never know when we'll need it.
