You know what I’m talking about right?
At the end of a small group or before a church service, everyone gets together in a circle holding hands. One person starts and then you go all the way around the circle until the last person finishes the prayer with a somewhat resounding “amen” from the group.
I remember when I was younger I would almost start to sweat over these. I would spend most of the time thinking about what I should pray. I mean, it has to sound good or you aren’t a very good Christian.
I guess you could say “pass.” The leader of the group sometimes say that is “totally ok.” But come on, if you say pass then everyone knows you don’t really love God that much.
Now that I’m a little older, and a little less mature (think about that) I am more comfortable with this thing called around the circle prayer. But even now I find myself often reciting my prayer in my head while the prayers make their way around the circle. Sometimes my hands get clammy, and sometimes I’m glad when somehow I don’t get chosen to pray.
I guess that probably makes me a bad person…or at least a bad future pastor, seminary student, and worship leader. Somehow, though, I don’t think I’m the only one who has thought this.
