Whisper a Prayer

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—her good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

“Whisper a prayer in the morning.
Whisper a prayer at noon.
Whisper a prayer in the evening. 
To keep your heart in tune.”

I was surprised when I started humming this song recently as I shuffled around my apartment. People sang “Whisper a Prayer” at my childhood church, and it was never a huge crowd pleaser or a song I longed to hear if the worship leader sang something different.

I was especially surprised this song came to mind because it’s a direct contrast to my current prayer life. I haven’t made much time to regroup and hear from the Divine. I’ve been discouraged with the weight of the world, feeling as if my prayers don’t make a difference. I look at the hurt of my loved ones and the injustices around me, and I know I need to do all I can to make things better. I then convince myself one of those things isn’t prayer—that I simply don’t have time to pray because there are more important things to do.

This is what happens when I make prayer a transactional practice rooted in ego instead of a meditative practice rooted in renewal. 

Prayer isn’t exclusively a time to petition God about the world around us—it’s a time for us to seek the most revolutionary and revelatory changes within ourselves.

Setting aside time for the renewal of the mind through prayer is a revolutionary act. It gives us the spiritual capacity to seek revolutionary change in the world by first healing and transforming ourselves. 

Prayer

My heart is in need of a tune-up. Thank You for hearing my whispered prayers—even when they don’t come as often as they should. Amen.

About the Author
Marchaé Grair is the Director of Public Relations and Outreach for the Unitarian Universalist Association and a member of South Euclid United Church of Christ, South Euclid, Ohio.