Psalm 10. Prayer is not an Abracadabra.

 

Lord, why are you so far from us? Why do you hide in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)

Even for David, who was so skilled in prayer that he left behind Psalms, prayer was not easy. Logically, when we pray, we should experience God and feel His presence. However, when David prayed, he experienced a God who was hiding. Verse 1 may not be David's exaggeration to get what he wants, but rather his prayer of complaint. If we were to compare praying to hitting a baseball, then while some people hit home runs, David often might just strike out. If David had been a frequent hitter, would he begin his prayer with the words "a God who is far away?" If praying was as simple as saying "Abracadabra," would anyone not do it? 

If we can empathize with David's prayer, then we should reconsider how we pray. While our wishes may not be fulfilled through prayer, we must acknowledge that prayer is at least not just "Abracadabra." Even when Jesus prayed using "Abracadabra" to change the situation and overcome difficulties, the heavens remained hidden. Therefore, who can pray in a way that causes the heavens to reveal themselves? The Holy Spirit must pray for them with unspeakable lamentations.

Holy Spirit, teach us to pray when we only say Abracadabra. Pray for us. Amen.