Dayenu
Remember the ubiquitous prayer ending from a few decades ago: “. . . and if in the end we have been found faithful in thy sight, let us have a home in heaven with thee, and that will be enough.”
My first question is, Who started that line? It’s not officially in the Lord’s Prayer. In fact, being in the Lord’s Prayer would have doomed it in my part of the tradition. But someone first came up with the line. And someone else borrowed it.
Second, How did the line get spread? That’s a fascinating social study. What was the tipping point?
And third — this is the real point — what did it mean to say that eternal life with God would be “enough.” That sounds like, We’d love something better, but that will do.
Enough. I’ve not been a good “enough” person . . . as in a person who lives with a deep sense of gratitude and contentment.
I find myself this week returning to the Passover liturgy: that lovely word “Dayenu.” That would have been enough . . . and yet he has been so kind, so gracious. Friends, faith, purpose, community, family.
Life with God . . . life with friends/family . . . that will be enough.
Thanks for this reminder. I need to open my eyes to see the wonderful things that surround me. I’m sometimes a wee bit blind!
I have always been fascinated with all of the cliches in prayers I heard growing up in West Tennessee. I find it interesting that I grew up hearing the “if we have been faithful” one all of the time, but I don’t recall ever once hearing the ending you mentioned. I also remembering how you could never say the Lord’s Prayer because the Kingdom had already come. Do you remember the prayer asking that the speaker “have a ready recollection of the things he has prepared to say”? When I was preaching for a little country church in northwest Tennessee I often heard a twist on that on. The men praying was ask that the preacher would have a “happy” recollection. It wasn’t until I was a student of Doug Brown at Harding Grad back in the early 80s that I was first introduced to written prayers outside of the Bible. I can relate to this post and I especially like your closing thoughts.
I’ve actually always liked the rhythm of these familiar lines in prayers (and would never question the sincerity of those who offered them!). They were a kind of unwritten liturgy, sort of like familiar lyrics. I too, lc, remember the prayers of Michel Quoist, as introduced by Doug.
I also remember the first two phrases, but not the third. This reminded me of an article that was in Christian Standard earlier this year, written in two parts by Jack Cottrell. His particular description of an error taught commonly in our traditions was particularly enlightening to me. He even quoted Alexander Campbell. The error pertains to making a distinction between how a person is saved and how a person continues to be saved. This teaching says that baptism is only for past sins and continued obedience is required to stay saved. Grace plays a role in the forgiveness of past sins, but isn’t too important for the present and future. Hence, “if in the end we are found faithful….” Sometimes I wonder how I made it all the way to 59 years old and still feel a connection to the Restoration Movement.
And, for the folks unfamiliar with the term “Dayenu,” my name above is linked to Logan Sandrock Baird’s article in New Wineskins from a few years ago.
I had never heard that last line either, though it strikes me that it was probably meant as a reminder that no matter what else happened in life, pleasing God and living with Him would be better than anything else.
I think in most cases, those kinds of statements are simply tools for people who might be nervous about leading prayers publicly. I am reluctant to be too critical or read too much into them – I think in most cases, they just result from people trying to do the best they know how.
Wonderful article, Keith. Thanks for the link. Good reflections, Leland. I’ve got six more years to hit 59, but yes, I feel deep connection to these RM roots. Paradoxically, I feel less connected to some parts than I used to; but more connected than ever to other parts.
I always cringed when I heard that line…even as a kid it just didn’t sound right. But I am sure God understood what they were trying to say. Thanks be to God that the Holy Spirit translates our feeble attempt at communicating with God.
I too remember the written prayers from Doug Brown’s class. He would start each class with a prayer from Kierkegaard. Do any of you know where Professor Brown is and what he is doing?
John – Doug is at the Washington University Med School in St. Louis.
Connected to this theme of contentment are these three pieces I wrote in ’06 entitled “When More Is Less”:
http://preachermike.com/2006/11/17/why-more-is-less
http://preachermike.com/2006/11/20/why-more-is-less-2
http://preachermike.com/2006/11/21/why-more-is-less-3
The cliches that are often heard in prayers are simply a reminder to me that someone is patterning their prayer after others they have heard…which shows they were listening. When I was in college, some of the more vocal preacher students began criticizing the phrase, “Guard, guide, and direct us” until a beloved teacher asked if that isn’t what we want from our God!
A word that began popping up in prayers among the college age in the 1970s was “just”…every request seemed to be preceeded by “We just ask….” It was also about this time that I noticed the omission of familiar terms in addressing God, such as Jehovah, Father, Holy, Everlasting…and “God” was the most prevalent term. Thankfully, the Spirit intercedes…whether we’re in dispair for lack of words or simply nervous at praying in front of a group!
I cringe when I hear bad theology being voiced, and not being tested against scripture. Yes, God may understand what is being intended, but the person sitting next to you might understand that “…if in the end we have been found faithful in thy sight…” means we believe that our salvation is only dependent upon our actions up until the point of death. It leaves out the whole point about the cross; I don’t think Paul would approve.
Leland –
I understand what you are saying. I guess I just wouldn’t associate that statement with the belief that all I need is my own effort and not the cross. If someone was listening to that prayer, they would also have likely heard it end with a phrase about the prayer being in the name of Christ. That seems like a good reminder of the grace of Christ through the cross. I also like the fact that people are concerned about being faithful until the end of life. So, I don’t think we need to be too hard on people who use those phrases. Maybe they can just provide us with a chance to take them to lunch and engage in a spiritual conversation about the topic.
Andrew – I appreciate what you’re saying, though we sometimes have to be careful with “they did the best they knew.” That’s true, of course, of terrorists who strap a bomb to their chests and walk into a crowded market. They’re doing the best they know how given their worldview. I’m not equating the stock prayer phrases with terrorism. Just cautioning against making “they did their best” the central criterion. A grace-filled assumption about others? Sure.
I guess I’d also want to know for sure that you’d be as generous to people who are to your (perceived) left. I know a lot of people who get all hot and bothered about perceived attacks to people on the right who consider those on the left to be fair game. Would you also consider someone to just be reciting the best they knew how if their prayer included a denial of the resurrection? How about an indication that the people of God is much larger than our group or even Christian groups?
Just things to think about. Not upset about it.
I have always thought that the various prayer phrases were an outgrowth of our devotion to being right in word and deed [earlier times]. And since, we had few to none classes for new christians [youth or otherwise] to teach them to pray–they adopted the unique phrases of the older christians in order to be safe [i.e. keep from being called on the carpet for using an improper word or phrase].
It would be interesting to have a complete listing of common prayer phrases among us and also their regional variations.
In regard to scriptural phrases or not scriptural–I find it unfortunate that the song “Days of Elijah” has become so popular with the incorrect phrase that David restored the temple of praise. Zerubbabel and Joshua son of Jozadak were the ones according to Ezra
AIG –
I appreciate the discussion. Wow – I definitely don’t think we can equate phrases in a prayer with strapping a bomb to a chest. And “they did the best they knew” is not my central criterion. I’m just searching for a way to handle those kinds of situations without being overly hard on others. I mentioned taking them out to eat and discussing it as an alternative to just wincing and talking about how mistaken that is.
You also equate the phrase mentioned to a phrase that denies the resurrection. I can’t go with you there either – a desire to being found faithful (with whatever shortcomings or incomplete understanding that may carry with it) just does not seem to be the same as denying the resurrection of the son of God. As far as being gracious to those on my “perceived left,” I do the best I can to do that as well.
I think we are on the same page – just seeking how to best handle these situations. Thanks for the discussion.
I’m thankful that God, my Heavenly Father, can understand my heart and my brother’s heart when we pray, and accepts our prayers, even if not worded like someone else would say it. When the preacher preaches, I do hope he has a “happy recollection” of what he has prepared and not be a speaker of doom and despair. When he’s properly prepared, he and the other worshipers of God will be “happy.”
So, is remaining faithful not part of receiving the gift of salvation? I’m confused.
I don’t see how being faithful leaves out the cross.
Cliche from my past: “…and when we are forced to bathe in the chilly waters of death, take us home to be with you.”
As a child, I got chills every time Bro. Dunn uttered those words, which was every time he led prayer.
Makes me think that most men who pray in cliches don’t think much about what they are saying and therefore haven’t delved into the theology of those words. Rather, they heard them from another source and simply repeat them, sans filter.