Loving is the syntax for prayer. To be effective prayer-ers, we need to be effective lovers. In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Samuel Coleridge declares, “He prayeth well, who loveth well.” …Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.
One day a friend of mine was walking through the mall and his two-year old son was in a cranky, fussy mood. The frustrated father tried everything to quiet his son, but nothing seemed to help. The child simply would not obey. Then, under some special inspiration, the father scooped up his son and holding him close to his chest, began singing an impromptu love song. None of the words rhymed. He sang off key. And yet, as best he could, this father began sharing his heart. “I love you,” he sang. “I’m so glad you are my boy. You make me happy. I like the way you laugh.” On they went from one store to the next. Quietly the father continued to sing off key and making up words that did not rhyme. The child relaxed and became still, listening to this strange and wonderful song. Finally, they finished shopping and went to the car. As the father opened the door and prepared to buckle his son into the car seat, the child lifted his head and simply said, “Sing it to me again, Daddy! Sing it to me again!” Prayer is a little like that. With simplicity of heart we allow ourselves to be gathered up into the arms of the Father and let him sing his love song over us!-written by Richard Foster
Apprenticeship to Jesus 