The fourth Abrahamic practice is suggested in Melchizedek's prayer of blessing (Genesis 14:18-20). Formalized prayers - prayers composed with intention and poetic sensibility - are essential to all Abrahamic faiths, and over time, they are integrated with daily routine as "fixed-hour" prayer. This daily regimen of prayer is significant not only because it fills each day with the regular times of turning the heart toward God, but also because the words of the prayer are constant and shared among the faith community. "Fixed-hour" prayer is common prayer, or communal prayer. Even though people pray in many places, they know they are expressing and affirming and being formed by those common desires, as individuals and as a faith community.
Personal Encounter
- Imagine the world in one thousand years, in the 31st Century, following two scenarios: 1) One in which the seven ancient spiritual practices have been forgotten for 1,000 years, and 2) One in which they have been revitalized and followed. What would those two worlds look like?
- Write out your own common prayer that might become a part of your daily routine during your "fixed-hour" prayer time.
- Do you think that what we know as "The Lord's Prayer" (Luke 11:1-4) was intended as a "fixed-hour" prayer model for our faith community? Process your thoughts.
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