If you happen to come visit me, Valerie, or now Jason in the office wing of the church, you will encounter some new art along the walls of the corridor In which our offices are located. Think of it as "Montreat comes home."

They are hangings made from simple wooden sticks and yarn. They are colorful and whimsical. They were made by members of the church while away on retreat last Fall.

But what are they?

That can prove puzzling for a casual observer, for they seem sort of random and free, not tapestries by any means, thoroughly modern, and almost formless.

But that is a hint, in and of itself, as to what they are.

What does prayer look like?

Our immediate image is of folded hands, or someone with head bowed, murmuring words to God. But think more deeply, moving from the person praying to the activity of prayer itself. Prayer is offering words, thoughts, ideas, wants, hungers, confession, thanksgivings, praise, and so on to God. Prayer is often written in verse form (the Psalms, for example), but we know it is not limited to that. Prayer can be a sigh (the Apostle Paul) or a great cry of anguish (Jesus in Gethsemane). Prayer can be a trumpet blast (Jericho) or a quiet laughter (Sarah in the tent as she hears of Isaac’s impending birth). Prayer can be as structured as formal poetry or as free as the wind.

In many cultures prayer is represented by flags or streamers blowing in the wind. In some churches, it is made visible in incense smoke rising through the sanctuary.

In short, prayer is whatever prayer is for whoever is praying.

Look at the banners along the wall, in all their expression. There are symbols there of every season, of creation itself, of human beings before God, and the presence of God within the world. Look at them and pray.