Prayer is like a faceted gem. When held to the light, its luster shimmers on various planes: Petition, Gratitude, Confession, Consolation, Praise, etc.
           An often-overlooked facet is the role of the words themselves. Whether memorized or spontaneous, the words that comprise our prayers help us notice things that we might otherwise overlook.
           For instance, a boy with a deer-hunting uncle will occasionally hear that uncle mention “buck rubs.” This term refers to gouges left on tree trunks by bucks rubbing velvet off their antlers. Without that term in the back of his mind, it is likely that the boy would never notice a buck rub while hiking through the woods.  
           So it is with prayer. The words that we pray continue to “play in the back of our minds” as we go about our day-to-day work. Like the lingo of a deer-hunting uncle, they help us notice grace that we might otherwise overlook.
           For this reason, I include a type of “buck rub” litany each day in my morning prayer. Its content highlights character traits of certain men whom I’ve met over the years. Some of these men are close friends. Each one has been instrumental in showing me the face of Christ.
           Below are the invocations along with descriptions of the men who inspired them.

Lord Jesus Christ, Honorable Judge,
bring our country to the place
where justice and mercy meet,
kindness and truth embrace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Bridegroom and Spouse,
grant me the honor of escorting your bride
to the door of your house.

            The first invocation was inspired by a district judge who instituted a treatment program to rehabilitate drug addicts. The second line recalls a young husband who, on the day of his wedding, choked up the moment he saw his bride walk toward him down the aisle.

Lord Jesus Christ, Wilderness Guide,
show me the path
across the mountain pass.

Lord Jesus Christ, Chemical Engineer,
keep my mind focused,
my spirit steadfast,
my heart set on the mission.

Lord Jesus Christ, Horse Trainer,
make me attentive to your cues
and docile to your will.

            As with the opening invocations, these lines were inspired by friends of exceptional character: a hunting guide in Colorado, an engineer in an oil town and a horse trainer in West Texas.
            The following segments represent times when I’ve pitched in to help relatives and friends with manual work.

Lord Jesus Christ, Tiller of the Soil,
make my soul verdant in hope
and productive in yield.

Lord Jesus Christ, Foreman of the Crew,
let me jump in the cab with you,
let me help you lift the heavy beam.

Lord Jesus Christ, Ranch Hand,
make me as tough as you
and keep me from complaining.
             
            The litany concludes with a singular plea that evokes two dramatic events: a time when a hiking companion pulled me from a gulch into which I had fallen; and a prison confession when I felt the surge of God’s mercy as I clasped the hand of a convict gasping in sorrow over the destruction wrought by his crime.

 Lord Jesus Christ, Friend and Savior,
grasp me by the hand,
let me look you in the eye!

            Why do I share the words of this personal litany? Is it to encourage you to connect your prayer to the world in which you live? Yes, of course, but more intimately, to share with you how God’s grace gets woven into this priest’s life and the fulfillment it yields.