Prayer: A Place of Virtue

Posted on September 8, 2008 by jamesbradfordpate

This will be fast, since I want to go to bed soon. Last night, I had a hard time sleeping. My mind was rushing with worry, anxiety, resentments, low self-esteem, and who knows what else. And so I got up in the middle of the night and did a daily quiet time. I’m currently reading the apocalyptic book of II Esdras, which I may discuss more in the future.

One thing that made my prayer last night different from many of my other prayer sessions is that I actually felt like I was with someone else. Usually, I feel as if I’m talking to myself (or, more accurately, preaching to myself). Last night, however, it seemed like I was enjoying God’s company.

But I also realized that prayer is actually a place to exercise certain virtues. I often beat myself up for not having enough faith, hope, love, or humility. Yet, those are things that I exercise just by praying! Even if my prayers can be rather lame, I’m acknowledging when I do them that God exists and cares about what I have to say (faith). I pray so things will get better, or so God will at least get me through my difficult times (hope). I desire to spend time with God and appreciate who he is (love). And I confess that I have a hard time making it through life on my own (humility).

Notice what I didn’t say: I didn’t say that I try to have faith, hope, love, and humility in my prayers. I’m saying that the act of prayer itself involves faith, hope, love, and humility.

About jamesbradfordpate

My name is James Pate. This blog is about my journey. I read books. I watch movies and TV shows. I go to church. I try to find meaning. And, when I can’t do that, I just talk about stuff that I find interesting. I have degrees in fields of religious studies. I have an M.Phil. in the History of Biblical Interpretation from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have an M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Jewish Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from DePauw University.
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2 Responses to Prayer: A Place of Virtue

  1. Bryan L says:
    September 8, 2008 at 2:36 am

    Thanks you for this post James. it really spoke to me as I strugle with some of the same things you mentions and this post really ministered to and reminded me of something very important that the act of me praying reveals about me/us:

    “But I also realized that prayer is actually a place to exercise certain virtues. I often beat myself up for not having enough faith, hope, love, or humility. Yet, those are things that I exercise just by praying!”

    and

    “I didn’t say that I try to have faith, hope, love, and humility in my prayers. I’m saying that the act of prayer itself involves faith, hope, love, and humility.”

    Great stuff!!

    Like

  2. James Pate says:
    September 8, 2008 at 3:59 am

    Thanks, Bryan. Of course, there’s the problems of the prayers that are an abomination in the Bible, but who knows? Maybe they’re not told to stop praying but to reflect on the ramifications of prayer (they seek help, so they should help others).

    Like

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