Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Question: Is it wrong to want to pray in writing instead of praying verbally?
View the corresponding discussion in The Scribal Prophets Facebook Group
Response: Absolutely not! Prayer is a condition of the heart, not the force of the mouth. Written prayers are just as effective as those placed in print, expressed through dance, touched through braille, released through instrumental music or described visually through American Sign Language (ASL).
Effective prayer is subjective to the person praying, listening or experiencing it, not a set of religious rules put forth by someone. There is, however, power in the spoken word – the release of a prayer at the sound of one’s voice, especially in corporate settings. David put both concepts together beautifully in Psalm 19:14 when he said, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
First, he speaks of the “spoken” prayer.
Secondly, he speaks of the “prayer of the heart or his inner-man.”
Finally, that passage of scripture is speaking to the agreement of the “mouth and the heart.” In all truth, this is what matters. Remember, God searches the heart – not the running off at the mouth. Writing is as much an expressive prayer as any other form. You see, God is inclusive of all people and their prayer styles, preferences. Just because people scream and holler does not mean they are saying anything; and silence does not always indicate idleness. Expression belongs to God and the intimacy He alone encounters with His people. If a corporate dance, a collected choir, an intercessory team or a coordinated orchestra can pray, why can’t a team of writers.
The question should be this: Why do I see writing my prayers as less effective? The answer, as I see it is simple: “It’s how many of us have been taught. Nothing more.”
A mute person has a sound. Truthfully, that what it is about. God sees spoken and unspoken words in his presence. And even more important than this is a very simple, foundational truth: If anyone lacks an earnest ability or desire to pray for themselves… that’s when the faithful step in to intercede on their behalf. It is the two or more effect… in the presence of the Lord.
Finally, I want to leave you with one of my favorite passages of scripture that brings all of this together.
Psalm 19:1-4 NIV,
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They HAVE NO SPEECH, THEY USE NO WORDS;
no sound is heard from them.
YET THEIR VOICE GOES OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
THERE WORDS TO THE END OF THE WORLD.
There is powerful revelation in this passage about us. But the point is this, the heavens might not speak vocally of its own volition… but the Lord knows we, those who do HAVE VOICE, HOLD SOUND speak on its behalf through our creativity – painting, drawing, poetry, spoken word, song, design, etc. We testify to the Lord’s glory in many ways.
Remember, writing your prayers IS NOT LESS THAN or ineffective! God hears… and responds to his sons.
