Pastor’s Corner: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Dear Apostles,
Imagine you and your loved ones get a chance to compete on the long-running television game show "Family Feud." Now imagine that the category is: "Common Things Christians Do." Some of your top guesses might include: "believe in Jesus," "volunteer," "read the Bible," "go to church" -- and "pray." But wait -- how many of us actually feel like prayer is something accessible to us, especially in our private lives?
The wonderful priest and author Father James Martin wrote a book called, "Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone," and the very first thing he says is: most people feel really intimidated by prayer. He breaks down this hesitation into 10 common reasons we don't pray, or don't feel comfortable praying. Here's a paraphrase in my own words:
1) We may not have been taught to pray. 2) We might consider prayer something that's reserved for special, "holy" people. 3) Maybe people were told they were praying "the wrong way." (Whatever that means!) 4) If religion has left a bad taste in your mouth, probably prayer is distasteful too! 5) We've never been encouraged to see the ways in which we are already praying! 6) We've had "bad" experiences with prayer and feel reluctant to try again. 7) Maybe you feel like God already knows what you're thinking, already knows what you need - so why articulate it? 8) We're really busy! As much as we would like to pray, we realize time passes quickly and prayer isn't a frequent habit. 9) Sometimes we're guilty of laziness when it comes to the spiritual life, prayer included, feeling like it just isn't in the mix of priorities. 10) We might actually fear the outcomes of what could happen if we do pray. What if something changes in our lives or in our souls that disrupts us in a way that seems frightening or uncertain?
When I read that list, I felt so comforted. I felt normal. I have had seasons in my own life when I could identify with a lot of the various options on the list.
What compels me to keep on praying -- to keep trying to learn to pray -- comes from the teaching of another Catholic priest, theologian, and author, Father Richard Rohr, who helps us understand that action and contemplation are essential to the Christian life, and essential to each other. In other words, if I want to actively live out the love of God, I need to be reminded of that love constantly, lest I burn out, and so I pray. But if all I do is soak in the love of God, and never move toward service of any kind as a result, I miss opportunities to bless others with the blessings I've received. In other words, prayer is not a mystical or "extra" practice in the spiritual life, it's an essential source of life - my own, and the lives of those around me.
As you reflect on your own journey with the practice of prayer, what kinds of questions, doubts, and blessings come to mind? Hang on to those stories and thoughts because we're talking about prayer at Church of the Apostles in the weeks to come! I for one am looking forward to it.
May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts richly,
Anne
