Day 33: Praying in Church

The Prompt: Watch a few people praying in church.  What are they praying and why?

The first man looks to be about 40.  He wears an pristine, seemingly unused dark suit with a blue and yellow striped silk tie and shiny black shoes.  He smells of expensive cologne.  I've talked to him once or twice before, and he questioned everything the pastor said.  He never sings the worship songs or looks up Bible passages during the sermon.  He simply sits in the pew with his arms crossed, listening intently.  Now, this balding man is kneeling at the altar, unafraid of getting his pants wrinkled, with his hands clasped close under his chin and lips moving fervently.  Not a sound can be heard from him.  He's soul-searching, wondering if this God that everyone loves so much is real, wondering if He is the final answer that can bring meaning into his life.

Nearby is a young boy, I'd say about fourteen, who is also kneeling.  He practically grew up in the church, as both of his parents are heavily involved in serving at church.  His head is bowed, his hands folded neatly in front of his chest and his eyes shut tight.  His life is still so young that his worries are few.  He starts off by praising God for the message he heard in the sermon and then branches into praising God for his family, friends, for helping him win the game at school yesterday.  Then he asks that God will help him practice the things that he learned today and keep them in his heart.  He quickly adds that God will help him do well on his test in science class tomorrow.

In the first pew, not far from the altar, is a white-haired little woman wearing a pale pink dress suit and matching hat.  We just celebrated her 72nd birthday on Tuesday.  It's been years since she's been able to kneel, so she prays in her seat.  She softly whispers her prayers to God.  The deep wrinkles in her face show that she has seen many tribulations in her life, but her face is serene.  She's been through this process a thousand times before.  All she has to do is pray to God and let Him handle the rest.  She has already prayed to Him about her normal prayer requests for her brothers and sisters in Christ.  This time she has a special request for her grandniece.  She's worried the teenager is slipping too far away from her parents and that it won't be long before she gets herself in real trouble.  The old woman knows Her Father loves this girl and will protect her from harm.  She humbly petitions that God will soften her grandniece's heart and eventually prod her to accept Him, whether it's through a family member or a stranger.  She ends with praising God for all His blessings for which she is an unworthy recipient.  This makes her even more grateful.