Musing – What is meant by ‘Wait’ and ‘Pray’?

Hebraic Musing – What is meant by ‘Wait’ and ‘Pray’?

Rabbinic midrash saying – “The former Chasidim (devout Jews) used to sit still one hour, and then pray for one hour, and then again sit still for one hour.”  I found myself meditating and trying to figure out the significance of this advice.

The definition of ‘pray’ must be at the core of the statement, and I have suspected the definition has evolved over recent times.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (a beloved reference book) seems to focus on the words ‘to ask’:
1. to ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable…
2. to petition; to ask, as for a favor; …
3. In worship, to address the Supreme Being with solemnity and reverence, with adoration, confession of sins, supplication for mercy, and thanksgiving for blessings received.

Today’s Dictionary.com from the e-generation infers that ‘pray’ or ‘praying’ is more of a conversation:
1. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
2. to offer (a prayer).
3. to bring, put, etc., by praying: to pray a soul into heaven.
4. to make earnest petition to (a person).
5. to make petition or entreaty for; crave: She prayed his forgiveness.
6. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
7. to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.
verb 8. to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.

Simply stated, the word ‘pray’ is evolving from ‘ask’ to ‘conversation’ with God. 

And what does ‘to wait’ mean?  Or ‘to sit still’?

Points to ponder

Is the Lord expected to wait on us,
or are we to wait on the Lord?

What is the purpose of three hourly cycles – wait… pray… wait?

Shalom                                                                                    August 14, 2012

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd