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my heart overflows with a good theme...
~Psalm 45:1a

All the Prayers of the Bible ~ Greg J

2/27/2021

1 Comment

 
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Adapted from: Herbert Lockyer, All the Prayers of the Bible. 1959, Zondervan Publishing House

Navigation:

If you click on the item title, such as Prayer History Begins, a tab opens to the passage in your most recent Bible Gateway translation: the KJV, The Message, La Biblia de las Americas--whichever you last used.

On a computer, if you hover on the scripture reference, such as Gen 4:26, you'll see the initial lines of that reference.

  • Prayer History Begins : Gen 4:26
  • Prayer and Spiritual Progress : Gen 5:21-24
  • Prayer and the Altar : Gen 13:18
  • Prayer for an Heir : Gen 15:3-8
  • Prayer—the Language of a Cry : Gen 16:1-16
  • Prayer and Revelation : Gen 17:1-27
  • Prayer for a Wicked City : Gen 18:1-16, Gen 19:1-27
  • Prayer after a Lapse : Gen 20:1-18
  • Prayer of Obedience : Gen 22:1-24
  • Prayer for a Bride : Gen 24:1-67
  • Prayer for a Barren Wife : Gen 25:19-23
  • Prayer Changes Things : Gen 26:1-35
  • Prayer As a Vow : Gen 28:18-22
  • Prayer of Humility and Promise : Gen 32:1-32
  • Prayer—The Motion of a Hidden Fire : Gen 39:1-23, Gen 40:1-23, Gen 41:1-41, Gen 45:5-8, Gen 50:20-24
  • Prayer for Blessing upon the Tribes : Gen 48:1-22, Gen 49:1-33
  • Prayer Expressed As a Groan : Exod 2:23-25
  • Prayer As a Dialogue : Exod 3:1-22, 4:1-31
  • Prayer As Complaint : Exod 5:1-23, Exod 6:1-28, Exod 7:1-25
  • Prayer in League with Omnipotence : Exod 8:1-32, Exod 9:1-35, Exod 10:1-29
  • Prayer As Praise : Exod 15:1-27
  • Prayer in Peril : Exod 17:1-16
  • Prayer of the Needy : Exod 22:22-24
  • Prayer for Delay of Deserved Judgment : Exod 32:1-35
  • First Prayer of Moses for Israel : Exod 32:9-14
  • Second Prayer of Moses : Exod 32:30-34
  • Third Prayer of Moses : Exod 33:12-23
  • Prayer and Transfiguration : Exodus 34:1-35
  • Prayer As Benediction : Num 6:24-27
  • Prayer for Preservation and Protection : Num 10:35-36
  • Prayer for the Removal of Judgment : Num 11:1-22
  • Prayer of a Discouraged Heart : Num 11:10-35
  • Prayer of a Meek Man : Num 12:1-16
  • Prayer for the Upholding of Divine Honor : Num 14:1-45
  • Prayer for Divine Action against Rebellion : Num 16:1-50
  • Prayer for Relief from Death : Num 21:1-35
  • Prayer and Prophecy : Num 23:1-30, Num 24:1-25
  • Prayer for a New Leader : Num 27:1-23
  • Prayer for a Privileged Task : Deut 3:23-29
  • Prayer to One Who Is Nigh : Deut 4:7
  • Prayer for the Stay of Judgment : Deut 9:20, Deut 9:26-29
  • Prayer as a Blessing : Deut 21:6-9
  • Prayer as Thanksgiving : Deut 26:1-19
  • Prayer as a Song : Deut 32:1-52, Deut 33:1-29
  • Prayer as a Challenge : Josh 5:13-15
  • Prayer Countermands : Josh 7:1-26
  • Prayer Neglected with Dire Results : Josh 9:14
  • Prayer That Produced a Miracle : Josh 10:1-43
  • Prayer for Direction : Judg 1:1-
  • Prayer in Time of War : Judg 4:1-, Judg 5:1-
  • Prayer for Signs : Judg 6:1-
  • Prayer in Calamity : Judg 10:10-16
  • Prayer As a Bargain : Judg 11:30-40
  • Prayer for an Unborn Child : Judg 13:1-
  • Prayer in the Face of Death : Judg 16:28-31
  • Prayer Directly Answered : Judg 20:23-28
  • Prayer for a Lost Tribe : Judg 21:2-3
  • Prayer without Words : 1 Sam 1:1-28
  • Prayer Prophetic in Outlook : 1 Sam 2:1-10
  • Prayer in the Sanctuary : 1 Sam 3:1-21
  • Prayer for National Trouble : 1 Sam 7:1-17
  • Prayer for a King : 1 Sam 8:1-22
  • Prayer As Vindication : 1 Sam 12:1-25
  • Prayer of a Distressed King : 1 Sam 14:1-52
  • Prayer of a Grieved Heart : 1 Sam 15:11
  • Prayer As a Still Small Voice : 1 Sam 16:1-12
  • Prayer As the Secret of Courage : 1 Sam 17:1-58
  • Prayer As Enquiry : 1 Sam 23:1-29
  • Prayer for Deaf Ears : 1 Sam 28:7
  • Prayer for Restoration of War-Spoil : 1 Sam 30:1-31
  • Prayer As to Possession : 2 Sam 2:1
  • Prayer for Victory Signs : 2 Sam 5:19-25
  • Prayer for Blessing upon House and Kingdom : 2 Sam 7:18-29
  • Prayer for a Sick Child : 2 Sam 12:1-31
  • Prayer As Pretense : 2 Sam 5:7-9
  • Prayer for Understanding of Affliction : 2 Sam 21:1-12
  • Prayer As a Psalm : 2 Sam 22:1-51
  • Prayer As a Confession of Pride : 2 Sam 24:10-17
  • Prayer for a Wise Heart : 1 Kings 3:1-28
  • Prayer of Dedication : 1 Kings 8:12-61
  • Prayer for a Withered Hand : 1 Kings 13:6
  • Prayer for Closed Skies : 1 Kings 17:1-24
  • Prayer for Resurrection of Dead Son : 1 Kings 17:20-24
  • Prayer for Divine Honor : 1 Kings 18:16-41
  • Prayer and Perseverance : 1 Kings 18:45
  • Prayer for Death : 1 Kings 19:1-21
  • Prayer for a Dead Child : 2 Kings 4:32-37
  • Prayer for Vision : 2 Kings 6:13-17
  • Prayer for Deliverance from Defiant Foes : 2 Kings 19:1-37
  • Prayer for Longer Life : 2 Kings 20:1-11
  • Prayer for Spiritual Prosperity : 1 Chron 4:9-10
  • Prayer As Trust : 1 Chron 5:20
  • Prayer of Fear : 1 Chron 13:12
  • Prayer for Establishment of Covenant : 1 Chron 17:16-27
  • Prayer Answered by Fire : 1 Chron 21:1-29
  • Prayer as a Sentinel : 1 Chron 23:30
  • Prayer and Giving : 1 Chron 29:10-19
  • Prayer in National Danger : 2 Chron 14:11
  • Prayer and Reform : 2 Chron 15:1-
  • Prayer and Appeal to History : 2 Chron 20:3-13
  • Prayer of Penitence : 2 Chron 33:13
  • Prayer of Thanksgiving : Ezra 7:27-28
  • Prayer and Fasting : Ezra 8:21-23
  • Prayer and Confession : Ezra 9:5-10:4
  • Prayer Born of Distress : Neh 1:4-11
  • Prayer in a Tight Corner : Neh 2:4
  • Prayer for Deliverance from Reproach : Neh 4:1-6
  • Prayer Triumphing Over Anger : Neh 4:7-9
  • Prayer and Restitution : Neh 5:1-19
  • Prayer against Craft : Neh 6:9-14
  • Prayer and the Word : Neh 8:1-13
  • Prayer and God's Goodness : Neh 9:1-38
  • Prayer for Remembrance : Neh 13:14-31
  • Prayer of Resignation : Job 1:20-22
  • Prayer for Pity : Job 6:8-9, Job 7:17-21
  • Prayer for Justification : Job 9:1-38
  • Prayer Against Injustice : Job 10:1-22
  • Prayer for Light on Immortality : Job 14:13-22
  • Prayer and Profit : Job 21:14-34
  • Prayer and Reason : Job 23:1-17
  • Prayer Answered by Whirlwind : Job 38:1-41
  • Prayer As Confession : Job 40:3-5, Job 42:1-6
  • Prayer As Intercession : Job 42:7-10
  • Prayer Born of Rebellion : Ps 3:1-8
  • Prayer of Holiness : Ps 4:1-8
  • Prayer As a Morning Watch : Ps 5:1-12
  • Prayer for Divine Action : Ps 7:1-17
  • Prayer of Praise for Divine Action : Ps 8:1-9
  • Prayer for Preservation Here and Hereafter : Ps 16:1-11
  • Prayer of the Cross : Ps 22:1-31
  • Prayer for Shepherd Care : Ps 23:1-6
  • Prayer for the Manifestation of Divine Glory : Ps 24:1-10
  • Prayer as Ascent to God : Ps 25:1-22
  • Prayer of a Believing Heart : Ps 27:1-14
  • Prayer As a Cameo of Christ : Ps 31:1-24
  • Prayer of a Tragic Soul : Ps 32:1-11
  • Prayer for Protection against Enemies : Ps 35:1-28
  • Prayer in Praise of Loving-kindness : Ps 36:1-12
  • Prayer of a Pilgrim : Ps 39:1-13
  • Prayer and Its Accomplishment : Ps 40:1-17
  • Prayer in Deep Distress : Ps 41:1-13
  • Prayer As a Door of Hope : Ps 42:1-, Ps 43:1-5
  • Prayer for Divine Assistance : Ps 44:1-26
  • Prayer for a Refuge : Ps 46:1-11
  • Prayer of a Broken Heart : Ps 51:1-19
  • Prayer at All Times : Ps 55:1-23
  • Prayer of Distress : Ps 57:1-11
  • Prayer of Trust : Ps 71:1-24
  • Prayer for God Himself : Ps 73:1-28
  • Prayer of a Pilgrim : Ps 90:1-17, Ps 91:1-16
  • Prayer As Praise for God's Greatness : Ps 96:1-13
  • Prayer for Escape from Trials : Ps 102:1-28, Ps 103:1-22, Ps 105:1-45
  • Prayer of Remembrance : Ps 106:1-48
  • Prayer for Those in Perils on Sea : Ps 107:1-43
  • Prayer and Affinity to Scripture : Ps 19:1-14, Ps 119:1-176
  • Prayer for Searching of Heart : Ps 139:1-24
  • Prayer God Does Not Hear : Isa 1:15, Is 16:12
  • Prayer and Cleansing : Isa 6:1-13
  • Prayer for a Sign : Isa 7:11
  • Prayer of Exaltation : Isa 12:1-6
  • Prayer of Praise for Triumphs : Isa 25:1-12
  • Prayer for Peace : Isa 26:1-21
  • Prayer and Confidence : Isa 41:1-29
  • Prayer and Practice : Isa 55:1-13
  • Prayer Unpopular to Many : Isa 59:1-21
  • Prayer Watcher : Isa 62:1-12
  • Prayer for Display of Divine Power : Isa 63:1-19, Is 64:1-12
  • Prayer As Confession of Inability : Jer 1:1-19
  • Prayer As Mourning for Backsliding : Jer 2:1-37, Jer 3:1-25
  • Prayer As Complaint : Jer 4:10-31
  • Prayer of Lament over Rebellion : Jer 5:1-31
  • Prayer from a Prison : Jer 6:1-30
  • Prayer Forbidden : Jer 7:16
  • Prayer for Justice : Jer 10:23-25
  • Prayer of Perplexity : Jer 12:1-4
  • Prayer for Relief from Sin and Drought : Jer 14:7-22
  • Prayer for Divine Vengeance : Jer 15:15-21
  • Prayer for Confusion of Enemies : Jer 16:19-21, Jer 17:13-18
  • Prayer for Overthrow of Evil Counsel : Jer 18:18-23
  • Prayer of a Despairing Heart : Jer 20:7-13
  • Prayer of Gratitude for DivineGoodness : Jer 32:16-25
  • Prayer for a Believing Remnant : Jer 42:1-22
  • Prayer of Pain : Lam 1:20-22
  • Prayer for Pity : Lam 2:19-22
  • Prayer As Complaint : Lam 3:1-17
  • Prayer for the Oppressed : Lam 5:1-22
  • Prayer As Protest : Ezek 4:14
  • Prayer for Preservation of Residue : Ezek 9:8-11
  • Prayer Sanctuary : Ezek 11:13-16
  • Prayer for Interpretation : Dan 2:17-18
  • Prayer in Defiance of Decree : Dan 6:10-15
  • Prayer of Confession : Dan 9:1-21
  • Prayer and Its Spiritual Results : Dan 10:1-21
  • Prayer for Light on One's End : Dan 12:8-13
  • Prayer in Emergency : Joel 1:19-20
  • Prayer and Weeping : Joel 2:17
  • Prayer for Respite and Forgiveness : Amos 7:1-9
  • Prayer of Heathen Sailors : Jonah 1:14-16
  • Prayer Out of Hell : Jonah 2:1-10
  • Prayer of a Repentant City : Jonah 3:1-10
  • Prayer of a Displeased Prophet : Jonah 4:1-11
  • Prayer of Complaint and Vindication : Hab 1:1-4, Hab 1:12-17
  • Prayer of Faith : Hab 3:1-19
  • Prayer Protest One : Mal 1:2
  • Prayer Protest Two : Mal 1:6
  • Prayer Protest Three : Mal 1:7-13
  • Prayer Protest Four : Mal 2:17
  • Prayer Protest Five : Mal 3:17
  • Prayer Protest Six : Mal 3:8
  • Christ prays at His baptism : Luke 3:21-22
  • Christ prays after a crowded day : Luke 4:42, Mark 1:35
  • Christ prays as an escape from popularity : Luke 5:15-16
  • Christ prays after a trying day : Mark 6:30-31
  • Christ prays with His own : Luke 9:18-31
  • Christ prays after success : Luke 10:21
  • Christ prays as a habit : Luke 11:1
  • Christ prays at a grave : John 11:40-42
  • Christ prays on a mountain : Mark 6:46
  • Christ prays of anguish : John 12:27-28
  • Christ prays for an erring disciple : Luke 22:31-32
  • Christ prays as the Great High Priest : John 17:1-26
  • Christ prays in Gethsemane : Luke 22:39-46, Matt 26:36-46, John 18:1
  • Christ prays from the cross : Luke 23:34-46
  • Prayer and the Necessity of Forgiveness : Matt 5:22-26, Matt 6:12-15
  • Prayer and Hypocrisy : Matt 6:5-7, Luke 11:1-4
  • Prayer As Taught by Christ : Matt 6:8-13
  • Prayer As Specified by Christ : Matt 7:7-11
  • Prayer of a Leper : Matt 8:1-4
  • Prayer of the Centurion : Matt 8:5-13
  • Prayer in Peril : Matt 8:23-27
  • Prayer of Maniacs : Matt 8:28-34
  • Prayer of Jairus : Matt 9:18-19
  • Prayer of the Diseased Woman : Matt 9:20-22
  • Prayer of Two Blind Men : Matt 9:27-31
  • Prayer for Laborers : Matt 9:37-38
  • Prayer of Christ's Gratitude to God : Matt 11:25-27
  • Prayer on a Mountain : Matt 14:23
  • Prayer of Peter in Distress : Matt 14:28-30
  • Prayer of Syro-Phoenician Woman : Matt 15:21-28
  • Prayer for a Lunatic Son : Matt 17:14-21
  • Prayer in Unity : Matt 18:19-20
  • Prayer in a Parable : Matt 18:23-35
  • Prayer for a Privileged Position : Matt 20:20-28
  • Prayer for Healing of Blindness : Matt 20:29-34
  • Prayer of Faith : Matt 21:18-22
  • Prayer of Pretense : Matt 23:14, Matt 23:25
  • Prayer of Accountability : Matt 25:20-24
  • Prayer of a Resigned Will : Matt 26:26, Matt 26:36-46
  • Prayer at Calvary : Matt 27:46-50
  • Prayer of a Demon : Mark 1:23-34
  • Prayer Habits of Christ : Mark 1:35, Mark 6:41-46
  • Prayer for the Deaf and Dumb : Mark 7:31-37
  • Prayer and Fasting : Mark 2:18, Mark 9:29
  • Prayer of the Young Ruler : Mark 10:17-22
  • Prayer of Zacharias : Luke 1:8, Luke 13:67-80
  • Prayer As a Magnificat : Luke 1:46-55
  • Prayer As Adoration : Luke 2:10-20, Luke 2:25-38
  • Prayer and the Twelve : Luke 6:12-28
  • Prayer and Transfiguration : Luke 9:28-29
  • Prayer in Parable Form : Luke 11:5-13
  • Prayer of the Prodigal : Luke 15:11-30
  • Prayer out of Hell : Luke 16:22-31
  • Prayer of Ten Lepers : Luke 17:12-19
  • Prayer in Parable Form : Luke 18:1-8
  • Prayer of Pharisee and Publican : Luke 18:9-14
  • Prayer and the Risen Lord : Luke 24:30, Luke 24:50-53
  • Prayer for the Spirit : John 4:9, John 4:15-19, John 4:28, John 7:37-39, John 14:16
  • Prayer of a Nobleman : John 4:46-54
  • Prayer for the Bread of Life : John 6:34
  • Prayer As a Privilege : John 14:13-15, John 15:16, John 16:23-26
  • Prayer in the Upper Chamber : Acts 1:13-14
  • Prayer for a Successor : Acts 1:15-26
  • Prayer and Worship : Acts 2:42-47
  • Prayer As an Observance : Acts 3:1
  • Prayer for Boldness of Witness : Acts 4:23-31
  • Prayer and the Ministry of the Word : Acts 6:4-7
  • Prayer of the First Martyr : Acts 7:55-60
  • Prayer for Samaritans and a Sorcerer : Acts 8:9-25
  • Prayer of a Convert : Acts 9:5-11
  • Prayer for Dorcas : Acts 9:36-43
  • Prayer of Cornelius : Acts 10:2-31
  • Prayer for Peter in Prison : Acts 12:5, Acts12:12-17
  • Prayer with Commitment : Acts 13:2-3, Acts 4:15-26
  • Prayer at the Riverside : Acts 16:13-16
  • Prayer in a Dungeon : Acts 16:25-34
  • Prayer of Committal : Acts 20:36
  • Prayer in a Shipwreck : Acts 27:33-35
  • Prayer for the Fever-Stricken : Acts 28:8, Acts 28:15, Acts 28:28
  • Prayer for a Prosperous Journey : Rom 1:8-15
  • Prayer Inspired by the Spirit : Rom 8:15-27
  • Prayer for Israel's Sake : Rom 10:1, Rom 11:26
  • Prayer As a Continuing Ministry : Rom 12:12
  • Prayer for Like-Mindedness : Rom 15:5-6, Rom 15:30-33
  • Prayer for Satan's Conquest : Rom 16:20-27
  • Prayer as a Benediction : 2Cor 1:2-4
  • Prayer for Removal of Thorn : 2Cor 12:7-10
  • Prayer and the Believer's Position : Eph 1:1-11
  • Prayer for Perception and Power : Eph 1:15-20
  • Prayer As Access to God : Eph 2:18, Eph 3:12
  • Prayer for Inner Fulness : Eph 3:13-21
  • Prayer and Inner Melody : Eph 5:19-20
  • Prayer As a Warrior's Reserve : Eph 6:18-19
  • Prayer As a Request for Joy : Phil 1:2-7
  • Prayer and Peace of Mind : Phil 4:6-7, Phil 4:19-23
  • Prayer As Praise for Loyalty : Col 1:1-8
  • Prayer for a Seven-fold Blessing : Col 1:9-14
  • Prayer Fellowship : Col 4:2-4, Col 4:12, Col 4:17
  • Prayer of Remembrance : 1Thes 1:1-3
  • Prayer for a Return Visit : 1Thes 3:9-13
  • Prayer, Praise and Perfection : 1Thes 5:17-18 , 1Thes 5:23-28
  • Prayer for Worthiness of Calling : 2Thes 1:3 , 1Thes1:11-12
  • Prayer for Comfort and Stability : 2Thes 2:13-17
  • Prayer for the Word and Protection : 2Thes 2:5-7 , 2Thes 3:1-5
  • Prayer for Timothy's Ministry : 2Tim 1:2-7
  • Prayer for the House of Onesiphorus : 2Tim 1:6-18
  • Prayer regarding False Friends : 2Tim 4:14-18
  • Prayer As Praise for Creation : Heb 1:10-12
  • Prayer for Mercy and Favor : Heb 4:16
  • Prayer and Ministry of Christ : Heb 5:7-8, Heb 7:24-25
  • Prayer for the Outworking of God's Will : Heb 12:9-15
  • Prayer for Perfectness : Heb 13:20-21
  • Prayer for Wisdom : Jas 1:5-8, Jas 1:17
  • Prayer That Misses the Target : Jas 4:2-3
  • Prayer That Prevails : Jas 5:13-18
  • Prayer of Gratitude for Inheritance : 1Peter 1:3-4
  • Prayer in the Married State : 1Peter 3:7-12
  • Prayer-Watch : 1Peter 4:7
  • Prayer for Christian Stability : 1Peter 5:10-11
  • Prayer for Multiplication of Grace and Peace : 2Peter 1:2
  • Prayer for kindness, mercy, peace, truth, and love : 2John 1:3
  • Prayer the Background of Reputation : 3John 1:1-4
  • Prayer in the Spirit : Jude 1:20
  • Prayer As Praise to the Lamb for Redemption : Rev 5:9
  • Prayer As Golden Incense : Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3
  • Prayer of the Martyred Host : Rev 6:10
  • Prayer of the Gentile Host : Rev 7:9-12
  • Prayer of the Elders : Rev 11:15-19
  • Prayer of Moses : Rev 15:3-4
  • Prayer of the Glorified Saints : Rev 19:1-10
  • Prayers Ending the Bible : Rev 22:17-20

Agenda: I've grown by reading these prayers.

I've grown by my mind's analysis, by my heart's resonance, and by God's Spirit.

"When we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words." (Rom 8:26)

I want to help stretch your understanding and appreciation of prayer and of the Creator who invites us to prayer.

Source: This current list appropriated the Table of Contents of Herbert Lockyer's 278-page book, All the Prayers of the Bible. Lockyear's book lists the KJV of each text with a devotional. I've added links so that alternative translations and languages are easily accessed.

Completeness? Lockyer observed that his 304 entries did not list all the prayers. Notably, almost every one of the 150 Psalms is reasonably a prayer, though not necessarily all of a psalm is a prayer I can pray for myself. See for example, Psalm 17:1. Lockyer lists just 37 representative Psalms. Even the imprecatory Psalms tell me something, even the one that ends, "Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks." The imprecatories with other Biblical counsel tell me this: I am permitted to take my anger to God, and I should leave my anger with God.

What is a prayer? Some commentators treat as prayers any words addressed to God. Thus, Satan "prays" in Job 1:6-12 and in Matthew 4:1-11. Governor Pilate questioned Jesus, "What is truth?". Was that a prayer for discernment? People who mutter "God!" do not necessarily acknowledge or trust the Almighty. In eventually improving this list I would emphasize words intentionally to God.

How do you define prayer? Some say, "Prayer is talking to God." Some say, "Prayer is asking and receiving." Some say, "Prayer is simply paying attention to God." Some say, "Prayer is communicating with God." Some say, "Prayer changes things." Some say, "Prayer influences God." Some say, "Prayer is like me in a rowboat pulling on a rope connected to an ocean liner. Prayer changes me." Know your suppositions. Your definition of prayer might change as you ponder and use these example prayers.

Humility: One thing I've gotten from the above list is that one can talk intentionally to God, but prayer that pleases God requires humility and trust. In a list like the above I would prioritize prayers that please God.

Honesty: As one can guess from just the above titles, Lockyer is often sweetly devotional even when the prayer is upset, tormented, fearful, or just greedy. "How long, O Lord, how long?" Consider Lockyer's title for 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, "Prayer for Spiritual Prosperity". What, spiritual? Read the verses. Jabez was praying for more real estate! Jim Rosscup has a list similarly devotional, with alliterative aspirations adding an astounding 2,816 pages. I aim to re-visit these prayers with a mind toward less flowery, and more honest and helpful titles.

Bible prayers have spoken to me and for me. So have public prayers of believers.

Studying prayer is helpful. Humbly praying is essential.


1 Comment

Joy ~E Reiss

2/23/2021

0 Comments

 
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As we get closer to crawling out of the morass of COVID-19, I’ve been thinking about joy.

In that process, I’m reminded that there are magical moments in life where, even in the moment, we realize that we are touching greatness.

Most of us have experienced this, and it’s actually been named. People call it being, “in the zone.” Or special forces call it the “green room.” We’re, even for a moment, completely dialed in, time seems to slow down, and you can execute your task perfectly. For me those moments have been rare, but entirely memorable and they are sources of joy even in remembering.

These have been most common in a venue of performance, either athletically or musically, or in public speaking or teaching. I was engaged in a great conversation with a friend about this dynamic and he rightly pointed out that for the “green room” to happen, there are several components.

1. It involves some measure of physicality.
2. It involves practice, rehearsal, or repetitive motion or activity.
3. It involves a public stage of performance, often accompanied by adrenaline.
4. It involves a special sense of awareness and an altered sense of perception.
5. It involves a feeling of power, where even something complicated feels effortless.
6. It is completely in the moment.
7. It is filled with joy and a ridiculous sense of fun.


There is a level of focus, of connectedness, of rightness that is difficult to communicate… but fortunately most people have experienced this at some point in life. Maybe it was the curve ball that didn’t curve, and time slowed down and you clocked it. Maybe it was the three you hit deep in the game and you knew it was in before you let go of the ball. Maybe it was a musical performance where it felt like you had a silly amount of time to place the 64th note just so. Maybe it was the moment of improv and you saw it, and dropped the line, with perfect comic timing. Maybe it was a near miss car accident where you saw everything and did a series of things exactly right to avoid the collision. Maybe it was a first kiss that was better than it had any right to be.

The difference between professionals and talented amateurs or semi-pros, is that professionals (perhaps intuitively) understand the run-up to this process better than the rest of us do. They get enough sleep the night before. They eat the same thing before the game or the concert. They wear the same socks. Many will have a highly regimented pre-game routine that is all about getting into this mental space. They do these things, not as a guarantee to the “green room” but they do everything they can to make it more likely. And somehow it is more likely. What can feel like superstition is actually participating in their activity at the highest level.

Even normal people can see it when this happens. Michael Jordan gets “that look” on his face and buckle up because something amazing is about to happen. Dave Matthews creates this incredible and musical moment and shares it with us. The orchestra fills the room, the conductor is perfect, the musicians just nail it, and the whole room is transported.

My argument is that this is the framework of joy.

Specifically in the idea that joy can be found in the nexus of things fitting together in exactly the right way in our response to a given situation. The good news is that this isn’t just limited to pros, or performance, which perhaps not everyone participates in. But these elements can also be present in the larger context of life, where routine can seem like drudgery and we don’t always see our day to day activity as rehearsals and run-up to greatness. The other piece of good news is that this kind of joy isn’t particularly dependent on external circumstance. Even in chaos, or in tragedy, we can sometimes find the green room to amazing effect. You don’t have to be able to dunk a basketball to find more joy.

Consider this.

Be intentional, with even the little things, as if they were preparation for a major event.

Invest in the things that are most important, both intimately with significant others and friends, but also with cohorts of activity and larger community.

Be in the moment as much as possible. Reflect, yes and plan, for certain… but don’t fall into the trap of always trading yesterday and tomorrow for today. One of most surprising things in the narrative of the gospels is how very present Jesus was, day to day.

Expect great moments to come. I honestly believe that we were created for these things and it is sacred to be conscious of the hope that longs to manifest.

Be vigilant when the great moment arrives. And enjoy it would you? Savor the perfect meal, the great conversation, the unexpected beauty of a sunrise, the run on the beach, the warmth of the fire with loved ones, the aggressive wet nose of a pet, or sharing the simple joy of finally letting your hair down after a hard day’s work.

And as the Bard says,

​“Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than use, and keep thy friend
Under thy own life’s key: be cheque’d for silence,
But never tax’d for speech.”
                   (~All's Well that Ends Well, Act 1, Scene 1)
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    Our Writers:

    At The Surge we love doing things together... that includes writing a blog!  Here are a few of our main contributing authors:

    Greg Johnson

    Jesus++
    Me--

    Dwaine Darrah

    Our fearless leader, Dwaine is the lead pastor at The Surge.  His experience in counter terrorism with the CIA prepared him for ministry and he likes dogs and babies even more than E does.

    E

    E (short for Eric Reiss) is the Wingman at The Surge and likes dogs, music, Mexican food, his wife Karen and his little girl Evangeline... not necessarily in that order.

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