I am reading Steven Chase's new book, The Tree of Life: Models of Christian Prayer.
I was intrigued by his comments on verbal prayer in transformation. "Though we are not as apt to hear reports of radical transformation through simple, persistent, verbal prayer, those who pray primarily in the verbal style are just as likely to experience transformation as those deeply engaged in silent, contemplative prayer." I am glad he acknowledges this.
There is such a deep place for verbal prayer in the transformation of others. Why is this so? Maybe Chase provides the answer in another chapter. He observes "In a real sense, through the gift of human relationship, we practice receiving the presence of God...The deep mystery of relationship with God in prayer is that it has an equally powerful side effect: To be in a prayerful relationship with a friend or lover brings us into the presence of God."
