You “make” a prayer to someone who has what you are seeking. You do not only pray to God. You pray to somebody to assist you. You can say, “I pray you help me to talk to my brother.”
The manner, choice of words, arrangements of words, approach, posture and attitude with which prayers are said or made determine the kind of response it receives.
Ultimately, we pray to Almighty God. We say the prayers in faith that He hears us; although, we do not see Him. The first requisite for prayers is perhaps, Faith. Faith is believing that He, Whom you have not seen or heard is present, responding to you. Second, what you have requested will be granted. Nobody prays to God right without faith.
We do not say prayers with pride, be they spiritual or psychological. Remember, the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the House of God to pray.
The former was filled with pride and overbearing self-recognition, while the latter humbly acknowledged his frailty, shortcomings and vanity before God. For one to rightly pray to God, self, pomposity, vain glory, accolades, titles, and offices, should not accompany him or her. No wonder, we do not mention the titles of our leaders while praying for them.
Posture is also important. The position we place ourselves in praying to God matters. Whether standing, sitting, lying down, or kneeling, it matters to do them humbly. In the Anglican Church, we encourage kneeling unless one is sick or aged.
Prayers to God have pattern. Christ taught His disciples the pattern. You do not pray anyhow or you may commit the liturgical offence of repetition of words which Christ advised against.
This is not to say that written prayers are preferred to extempore prayers. Both can either be right or wrong if the pattern is not followed. Do not forget that other religions have their respective prayer patterns.
Christian prayer patterns and traditional religion actually differ. Remember that in the Anglican Christian prayer pattern, we begin by recognising the Almightiness of God and will end through Christ Who is our Saviour, Mediator, Lord, and Advocate.
Let me summarise by saying that prayers without praying according to His Will may not receive the needed response. Christ has taught us the Will of God. The Will of God is for us to forgive our offenders. You cannot pray aright with animosity and bitterness. Those who ask God to destroy their enemies are not in the same pattern as Jesus.
The Will of God is to love those who have been deprived of the needful things of life. That is why prayers and alms are of the same coin. The Will of God is to take care of others, hence we pray for others first. It is not wrong to pray for yourself, but it is more Christ-like to pray for others.
Tone of prayer is also essential. Audibility and shouting are not the same. Those who lead public prayers are supposed to be audible for people to hear them, but shouting is a no, no, no! Private prayers can be silent and heart-communicating. Some may decide to shout it or speak in tongues but consider the peace of your neighbourhood. I do not think it is right to disturb someone else because of the shout of your prayers, after all, prayers are directed to God.
What we call warfare, declarations, firebrand, quaking, and shaking among others can also be allowed, depending on whether we do them to the honour of God or to satisfy the itching ears of the people.
• The Rev. Canon Onyeka Egwuonwu is the Vicar of St John’s Anglican Church, Okpuno, Awka
