I most confess that I've never been a fan of the use of written prayers in communal prayer or worship. But, I also have learned to value and appreciate those prayers. Particularly those written prayers that have been a blessing to the Church through generations. The Lords Prayer Probably being the most cherished one.
One of the reasons why I don't feel comfortable with written prayers is because in my Christian experience I have learn to associate prayer with passion. This could just may be a theological or cultural bias.
This week many Christians celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. During this celebration churches are invited to pray for the unity of the broken body of Christ. It has been my experience that the majority of the gatherings to celebrate this Week of Prayer lack seal and passion. The prayers used in these celebrations are almost always written prayers and they are read without much seal or passion.
My idea of praying for the unity of the church look more like a loud cry of anguish that shouts, "until when Lord, until when?"
As I reflect here, maybe the challenge is not with the prayers itself, but with our lack of convictions about the sinfulness of the division of the body of Christ.
For this we must pray with passion!
Carlos M
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