Editorial March 9, 1992 Issue

The evolution of prayer

Michael D. Rissler

There is prayer that stands far off from God and calls out across a void. Such prayer sees human failure and feels alienated from God. And yet, such prayer recognizes the need for God and reaches out to overcome the feeling of separation it struggles with.

We can feel the anguish and yet the hope of such prayer in the words of the sixth Psalm in the Bible. "O Lord," the Psalmist cries, "rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed."

In this brief psalm, we begin to see prayer evolving. Even the slightest opening to the reality of God's presence changes perspective, and the Psalmist, near the conclusion of his plea, is able to affirm, "The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer."

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