Inspiration

I was recently asked about prayers in church. The question was about scripting out a service, such as planning and using pre-written prayers. This is my response.

The Holy Spirit isn't limited in how He works. He may inspire us through words prayed extemporaneously or from prayers that have been uttered by millions of faithful Christians throughout the centuries. While, I usually select or write the prayers along a particular theme I usually tell participants they are free to use or discard them -- however they feel led. Just as I believe the Holy Spirit is involved in hearing God's Word in scripture, so is He able to use conversation with another person; a written prayer, a song, a poem, or whatever He chooses.

For example, while some preachers may be more pleasing to the ear than others, what really matters is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the hearer. I learned a long time ago that what I say and what people hear are often two very different things and as I pray that the Holy Spirit is involved with the former, so I pray He is involved in the latter.

When is the Holy Spirit involved in the worship service? Is it just at the hour of worship. No, I do not think so. He is involved in many ways before the service. Just as He was present at the writing of the sacred texts, and during the formation of the Canon, so was He involved in the selection of the lectionary and the formation of the church's liturgies. He has inspired generations of Christians who have safeguarded and handed on the Apostolic Tradition through words spoken and written to this day. He inspires the poor preacher who stumbles and struggles with the texts in the days leading up to Sunday. He woos the hearts of the lost and unrepentant. He prods backsliders to return to church. He assists people in many ways to gather at the appointed hour. He is present in the community and trains the ears of those who really hear; lifts the eyes of those who really see; invigorates the hearts of those whose burdens are lifted; and touches with joy all who indeed hear His Good News.

The reality of inspiration is not to be found in the words, but in the abiding prsence of the Holy Spirit. A person may utter beautiful words, but without the Holy Spirit they are cast into the void. We are but earthen vessels, and that includes our words. Some are more skilled with words than others. Some people have tremendous powers of persuasion and can enlist people to their cause or sell useless items as useful, but only the Holy Spirit has the power to convert. He works with us, poor earthen vessels that we are, to do the great things He accomplishes. The Word of God is efficacious, regardless of its medium.