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I wonder how many people remember William Barclay - and how many still read him? He was (among other things) Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at Glasgow and a considerable scholar. His Biblical Study notes had a world wide sale.Barclay points out, in one of his discussions of prayer, that, just as we do not compel everyone to eat the same kind of food for their bodies, we should not try to compel them to nourish their spirits with the same kind of prayer.
Just as there are stray sheep there are what I think of as stray books. They disappear and suddenly seem, for no very obvious reason, to re-appear, come back to notice, demand to be read again. Just so, one of William Barclay's books 'Seen in the Passing' has come back into view. In one chapter he says it is the tragedy of the church that we have our "liturgical wrangles".He discusses the insistence by some that, in public worship, the printed word must be used, while for others such prayer is an abomination. Why, Barclay wonders, should anyone worry so long as people get to God through their prayer.There could be interminable discussions of the subject and there are, no doubt, many personal stories to be told but I am convinced there are many ways to God and some are swift, some are slow, in long journeys, following long narrow roads or on winding ways, searching the countries on the way.
These are commonplaces, epitomised in "The Pilgrim's Progress" and similar allegories. The plain tale may well be the best.Many years ago, in my own city (which like Paul's is no mean city!) I was approached by a stranger who wanted to know how he could find a street called St. Vincent Street. It was very easy to direct him - he was standing in it. The way to God may be neither long nor need it be the subject of liturgical wrangles.I suggest it may be through different kinds of prayer or - and perhaps more frequently than we know - be given freely to people who have already been seen from far off.
Bob Mclean
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