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What the Adhan is Teaching Me About Prayer

April 4, 2019 by Lauren 39 Comments

“It’s 4:23am and Hadeel wakes up to the sound of the adhan (the Muslim call to prayer). This is the first of five times that she will pray today, just like every other day. She slips out of her bed and scuffles sleepy-eyed over to the sink. She whispers, “Bismallah al-rahman al-rahim” (in the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful) before beginning the proper cleansing ritual for prayer time. The faucet creaks as she turns the water on; she washes her hands. Three times.

Cupping her hands, she fills them with water, sips some into her mouth and swishes it around. Three times. Again she fills her hands with water, this time putting the water up to her nose to rinse it out. Three times. The water is a little warmer now and she washes her face. Three times. With her hand slightly wet, she wipes the top of her head and each ear, the right first, then the left. Next, she cups just her right hand and fills it with water, then lifts her hand allowing the water to run down and wash over her arm to her elbow. Three times. Now to the left arm. Three times. Finally, she lifts her right foot to the sink and washes it up to her heel. Three Times. Then the same with her left foot. Three Times. The small towel hangs next to the sink; she grabs hold of it and dries her face, arms, and feet. She returns to her room, places her prayer carpet on the floor, and puts on her prayer garments. Now she’s ready to begin her prayers. She’ll repeat this process four more times today in preparation to pray and, she believes, grow nearer to God.

Should My Prayers Be More Like Adhan?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about prayer – what it is, why we do it, how we do it, and what the Word has to say about it. Every day, I watch my friends approach prayer with reverence, humility, and eagerness. I am both challenged by their commitment to the discipline of prayer and saddened in knowing that this cleansing process in fact does nothing to cleanse their souls before G0d.

Hebrews 4:14,16 says, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of G0d, let us hold fast our confession… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” As His child, I have a freedom to approach His throne with confidence because of what Christ has done. It is not by any self-cleansing ritual, magical words or specific posture; it is through the Spirit alone that I can approach freely and confidently. And yet, how often do I go throughout my days in my own strength, not stopping to ask for His help, much less to just acknowledge His presence and nearness.”

 

The words and thoughts above are from a friend of mine serving in a predominantly muslim country.  Although for security reasons she must remain anonymous, she graciously allowed me to share this with you.  As a North American Christian, this kind of ritual seems outdated and unnecessary.  And yet…it challenges me to think in light of my recent dive into a deeper prayer life.  Especially as the calendar barrels toward Easter – what some might consider our holiest day of the year.  Corrie Ten Boom, modern-day hero of the faith once said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it.  Make an appointment with the Lord and keep it.  A man is powerful on his knees.”  James 5:16 backs this up,

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

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I think I need more appointment prayers in my life.  Times when I sit down uninterrupted (as much as possible when I live with other humans) and pour out my thoughts and feelings to God.  I need to pencil in open-Bible time to pray God’s words back to Him, to praise Him and to lift up my wants and needs.  And I can’t forget to schedule that listening time.  The time when I just shut up and “be” with Him.  So I can feel His presence.  So He can talk to me.  But I think I’ll also keep praying when I feel like it.  Arrow prayers – those short prayers we “shoot” up to God whenever a need or thought arises – propel me through most days.  Although I know I need more intentional time to sit before my Redeemer, I LOVE that I don’t HAVE to have an appointment when I need Him.  He is always there (Joshua 1:9).

 

Do you have a favorite place or time to pray?  Comment below and join the conversation!

 

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Filed Under: Christian, prayer Tagged With: adhan, arrow prayers, Corrie Ten Boom, muslim, ritual

Comments

  1. Connie Rowland says

    April 4, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    Hi Lauren! I love how you call our short prayers “arrow prayers”. I guess I never thought of them that way. But I do love to shoot up a prayer or two, or however many I need to every day. I’m so glad God is always willing to hear my prayers.
    And as you pointed out it’s all because of what Jesus has done. Thanks for a wonderful reminder to lift it up to Him today. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 4, 2019 at 10:46 pm

      Thank you, Connie.

      Reply
  2. Mary Geisen says

    April 4, 2019 at 11:56 pm

    I love the description of the Muslim girl preparing to pray. Each step is so intentional and it feels sacred. I think of how I just swoop in to pray in the morning without too much preparation. I like the idea of prayer appointments. Thank you for getting me thinking.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 5, 2019 at 3:13 am

      Thank you, Mary.

      Reply
  3. Laura says

    April 6, 2019 at 3:08 am

    Hi Lauren. I am working on Jerusalem and have a ministry to the Muslims. When I hear the call to prayer it quickens my heart to pray as well. I guess it helps since I have a little Adhd to have set times to pray. Maybe you would like to be a guest post on my blog and share this post on my blog?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      Of course, Laura. Would love to open this up to your readers as well!

      Reply
  4. Tea With Jennifer says

    April 6, 2019 at 3:08 am

    Hi Lauren,
    At first I didn’t know where you were going with this but as I read I totally understood.

    I came out of a ritualized belief system to a personal relationship with God through Jesus, so for me having the freedom through Jesus to approach God’s Throne of grace any time & any place is very important to me. While making a time each day for scripture meditation & prayer as well. I personally need both 😉
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:39 pm

      Agreed, Jennifer. Thank you for weighing in!

      Reply
  5. Chrissy L Townsend says

    April 6, 2019 at 5:33 am

    Such a lovely and thought provoking post. My dining room and simply walking around my home is my favorite places.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      Thank you for the reminder of prayer walking my house, Chrissy. I haven’t done that in a while!

      Reply
  6. April says

    April 6, 2019 at 11:50 am

    I am the same with my “arrow” prayers as you stated. Knowing we can always go to Him is a huge honor that we’ve been given. I also have my longer prayer times but I have to admit that I’ve become less disciplined recently and this is a reminder for me, especially because lately my days have been taking constant turns so setting a more specific appointment is a good thing!!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      I am in the same boat, April. I’m thankful for His gentle nudges.

      Reply
  7. Laurie says

    April 6, 2019 at 12:15 pm

    I love the Corrie ten Boom quote. I have one of her quotes about worry rolling around in my head. I am trying to find something worthwhile to say about it. I, like you, usually do the “arrow prayer” method of praying (I love your term!) It seems to fit the American lifestyle. We give a quick, short shout out to God whenever it suits us. The description of the intentionality and reverence of the Muslim girl approaching her prayers is moving. God hears both of us, I think, but the ritual benefits the person who prays, as all rituals are for the participant, not for God. Beautifully written piece, Lauren!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      Thank you for these thoughts, Laurie.

      Reply
  8. Tammy L Kennington says

    April 7, 2019 at 1:36 am

    Lauren, what a beautiful post. These words encouraged me, “I need to pencil in open-Bible time to pray God’s words back to Him, to praise Him and to lift up my wants and needs. And I can’t forget to schedule that listening time.”

    I needed this today.

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 7, 2019 at 3:07 am

      I’m glad it was helpful to you, Tammy. Thank you for telling me.

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth says

    April 7, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    How much more should our prayer life be both disciplined and vibrant to the God Who love us and sent His Son to die that we might have real relationship with our Father God? Such a good word here.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 7, 2019 at 3:09 pm

      Thank you so much, Elizabeth!

      Reply
  10. Kim Stiver says

    April 8, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    What a great reminder of the importance and sacredness of prayer time. God calls us to give Him the first fruits of everything we have — including our time, effort, and energy. That means we must approach our prayer life with preparation and thoughtfulness.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 8, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      First fruits is such a good point! I don’t know that I’ve ever thought of it in relation to prayer.

      Reply
  11. Karen, the next best thing to mummy says

    April 8, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    Beautiful post, beautiful words #anythinggoes@_karendennis

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 8, 2019 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you, Karen. Glad to have you visit today.

      Reply
  12. Betty J Draper says

    April 9, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    Lauren, I am not a good sleeper so I am up till early morning hours a lot and it drives me to my knees. So, yes, early morning is my favorite time, especially after I have spent some time trying to figure things out in my own mind. I do quick prayers also because my day is pretty busy and when they are answered its like someone shines a light in my heart to confirm He hears me no matter when and how long my prayers are. He knows my day, my frame, my hardships, my time more then I do. Love this post.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 9, 2019 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you, Betty.

      Reply
  13. Ashley Rowland | HISsparrowBlog says

    April 10, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Love the ‘arrow prayers’ myself. It makes me think of Paul’s admonishment to pray without ceasing, because we’re thinking about and talking to God throughout our days. But there’s definitely a place for scheduled prayers too, which isn’t my strong point.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 10, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      Mine either, Ashley. But I’m working on it.

      Reply
  14. Kim says

    April 10, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    Good thoughts. How we should long to spend regular time with the One who loves us so much! It really takes intentionality some times.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 10, 2019 at 5:02 pm

      Yes. So many distractions – even with good intentions.

      Reply
  15. Patsy Burnette says

    April 10, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    Laura, thank you for this post! At first, I wasn’t sure where we were going with it. As Western Christians, we should be ashamed at how flippantly we use, or underuse, our prayer life. It’s the most powerful tool we have in our Christian toolbelt, yet so very neglected. Thanks for the reminder and great post! And thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 10, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      My pleasure, Patsy. Thank you for hosting.

      Reply
  16. Theresa Boedeker says

    April 11, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    “How often do I go throughout my days in my own strength, not stopping to ask for His help, much less to just acknowledge His presence and nearness.” This jumped out at me. We can learn a lot from others.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 11, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Glad it spoke to you, Theresa. Praying God’s blessings on you today.

      Reply
  17. Michele Morin says

    April 11, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    I realize that there is danger in ritual. It can quickly become “the thing” rather than the practice it is meant to encourage, and yet I am drawn to the purposeful cleansing and the show and tell of a physical act that precedes a spiritual discipline. My prayer life continually needs anchors, and I appreciated this post that encourages me to up my game when I’m in the presence of Almighty God.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 11, 2019 at 8:13 pm

      Yes, Michele. Agreed. Thank u.

      Reply
  18. Jerralea says

    April 11, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    Great post, Lauren, on being intentional with prayer. I love the idea of both arrow prayers and appointment prayers. We need both!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 11, 2019 at 8:14 pm

      Yes! I am enjoying the process of breaking out of the prayer life rut I have been in.

      Reply
  19. Summer says

    April 21, 2019 at 10:50 pm

    I appreciate how your friend carefully and thoughtfully observes the people she is trying to reach for Christ. And the truth she is able to glean from her observations is a treasure. I agree with Ten Boom’s statement on making and keeping appointments with God. A wake up call for me!

    Reply
  20. Crummy Mummy says

    April 23, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    As a Catholic I am rather traditional & pray in church – it’s where I feel most at peace #ablogginggoodtime

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 23, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      I love that you feel peaceful at church! Thanks for weighing in.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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