One of the WMA (Women's Missionary Auxiliary) groups I attend is about to study the Lord's model prayer found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6). So I have been contemplating prayer.  

As is common with the Lord, at least in my life, if He is trying to teach us, the same topic arises repeatedly. I recently received an email from a Christian friend about prayer. He included this quote from J. Vernon McGee: "So many people get uptight in a prayer meeting or in a church service. They feel oppression in prayer-they want to say the right things and use the right words. Public prayer is alright, but let me suggest that you go aside and be alone with God."

Last week, my husband and I attended a meeting of several of our sister churches at a neighboring church, along with many of the brothers and sisters from those churches. One of the dear brothers recounted an incident that happened the last time he had been in that church building, and it reminded me of an incident that happened the last time I was there. I did not share with the entire group, but only my husband on the way home that evening.

I have now decided I'd like to share it with you.

As a youth, I enjoyed attending singing conventions and there was one almost every Sunday afternoon. This particular church was on the regular rotation schedule, and on the particular Sunday of this incident, I was in attendance. So, here is my recounting of the most beautiful prayer I've ever heard.

Most services held in church buildings, and many elsewhere, begin with prayer. This particular Sunday was no different. However, the president of the Sunday afternoon singing convention, the person who was about to call on the person in the congregation who would lead in corporate prayer, was unaware that his choice had a learning disability. You could almost hear the group gasp when he called the name. Everyone wondered what was going to happen. And what happened was amazing!

The person led out, speaking ever so carefully, and ever so slowly, "Lord, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. Lord, I don't know how to put them all together the right way, but You do. Amen."

With not a dry eye in the church, and every heart melted, this was probably the most spirit-filled singing I've ever attended. And, this was by far the most beautiful prayer I've ever heard.