Sorry…it’s tangent time again.
What does “prayerfully” mean to you?
This adverb seems to be used with great frequency throughout the Christian community. Recently, I have been pondering its use.
If you have previously reviewed this blog, you may already realize that I think prayer plays an important role in our lives. Prayer is a critical component in our relationship with God and is the primary (two-way) communication method available to us. As a result, prayer can and should help form and guide our passions, goals, and journey.
On the other hand, I have been questioning the use of the adverb “prayerfully”. I previously commented on “prayerfully consider”, which is probably the most common use, but am currently hung up on “prayerfully ask”.
As a member of my church council, we are reviewing a devotional that discusses how our fellow disciples “prayerfully asked” us to be leaders in the congregation. I do hope that our congregation members prayed for guidance as they elected the leaders of our church. However, the term “prayerfully asked” in this context seemed out of place to me.
I have “prayerfully asked” the Lord many questions and requests, but how can one person “prayerfully ask” something of another? Perhaps I am interpreting this more directly than intended?
As with other topics that inexplicably gnaw at me, I felt the need to investigate. Various sources seem to focus on two distinct meanings for the adverb (and its corresponding adjective).
The first group of definitions relate specifically to prayer - given to praying frequently, typical or indicative of prayer, etc. This is the grouping that comes to mind when I see the word “prayerfully”.
However, the second meaning focuses around something devout, earnest, and/or sincere. This meaning makes much more sense to me in the context of “prayerfully asking” something of another.
The second group of definitions eased my mind on this topic, but I wonder if this is the intended meaning by those who use it.
I realize this may be significantly more attention and detail than this topic warrants, but what does “prayerfully” mean to you?
