Words for Wednesday

In my reading this week I came across two quotes about prayer. The first one was tucked away in an article from the latest edition of Books and Culture (Mar/April 2009). This prayer took me by surprise with its heartfelt simplicity:

“Father, I understand nothing, but the birds are at the window, my wife’s hand is warm, and your word is true. Thank you." (by John Wilson)

The second quote comes from Samuel Chadwick:

“The basis of prayer is sonship. Prayer is possible and reasonable because it is filial. Prayer is the privilege of sons… Our Lord bases prayer on personal relationship. He taught us to call God our Father, and the implication of sonship changes the whole aspect of prayer. It is a child’s right to ask, and it is a father’s responsibility to hear in affectionate sympathy and discerning love. The revelation that God is Father establishes the possibility and reasonableness of prayer.”