A number of years ago, Elder Francis M. Lyman had this to say about length of prayers, either at opening or closing. It is not only not pleasing to the Lord for us to use excess or words, but also it is not pleasing to the Latter-day Saints. Two minutes will open any kind of meeting, and a half minute will close it…. Offer short prayers, and avoid vain repetitions….” (From an address delivered in MIA conference, June 5, 1892, and reprinted in Improvement Era, April 1947, p. 245.)
It is expected that invocations are longer and fuller in expression. We normally invoke the Spirit of the Lord (not a portion of it) to be with us, and we attempt to set the spiritual tone of the gathering. On the other hand, dismissal prayers are short and to the point. Thanks may appropriately be expressed for the spiritual upliftment of the occasion and blessings sought upon the point of departure.
I fear that in some of our meetings prayers have a tendency to be drawn out and full of trite or vain expressions. This tendency discourages participation in prayer, especially among the youth, and promotes clock-watching. How much better it would be if we prayed as the Nephites. It was said of them: “…and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire (3 Nephi 19:24.)
Carlos E. Assay, “The Language and Pattern of Prayer,” Prayer. Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, UT. 1978. P.40
No comments:
Post a Comment