Chaplain Gil Boersma reflects on a favorite snack and the nature of prayer.

REV. GILBERT BOERSMA
Retired Pastor, West Michigan Conference

The oil of gladness in our lives, despite the difficulties or trouble we face, is a sign of good health.  When I met a patient in the hospital on my rounds as a chaplain, who greeted me with warmth and joy in the midst of his or her illness, I was witnessing life at its best. Often these were people who knew prayer was as natural as breathing.

“Knee high by the fourth of July!”  I will never know how many times my wife and I have repeated that phrase while driving down the highway, noticing the acres of corn growing in the summer throughout the Midwest. Have you ever wondered where popcorn came from, other than a bag or jar?  I did not think of asking for a long time because I have loved popcorn since I was a kid and that was all that mattered!

One distinction of a farmer’s field of popcorn plants (versus sweet corn and field corn) is that they have floppier tassels. And this comes from a story in Modern Farmer magazine (Caleb Pershan, July 3, 2014). “Iowa farmers Ginger and Bill Grubb [were asked] about common popcorn stories and misconceptions, like whether, for instance, on a hot day a popcorn field would just start exploding. They laughed and said no. But apparently that has happened — at least sort of. In 2010 in Kentucky, a popcorn farmer’s crop burst through its kernels, which had formed at very high temperatures and then filled with water, causing the rupture. That said, popcorn typically pops after being dried; the heated kernels retain a modicum of moisture that turns to steam, expanding corn into the pop zone.”

Have you ever heard of popcorn prayer?  We sometimes use this approach in worship, and it has been used effectively at camps or on retreats. I believe it is the oil of gladness which comes by the presence of the Spirit in our lives and our fellowships that produces the best prayer; the kind of prayer that blesses others, lifting people out of their misery, giving seekers direction, and offering hope and joy.

The Dictionary of Christianese gives this definition of Popcorn Prayer:

• group prayer is like popcorn in that the group’s prayer is made up of an accumulation of small, individual prayers (individuals may at times only speak a single word);
• group prayers are like popcorn in that people voice their short prayers at random (like the random popping of popcorn);
• a prayer is like the popping of a popcorn kernel in that it is a single prayer suddenly made;
• group prayer is like popcorn in that the prayer is made up of the simultaneous voicing of many people’s prayers (like the roaring sound popcorn makes when its kernels are all popping);
• some prayers are considered to be insubstantial and inferior in the way that popcorn is not considered to be a serious meal.

From experiences at bedsides and of popcorn, here’s the vision the Lord has given to me. People of faith gather together (two or more) in the Spirit of prayer. Their prayer is not just defined by words spoken, but by simply loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Then the oil of gladness in the community of faith brings forth the spoken prayers from individuals that bless, heal, and inspire living in service and love.

Now that is a very healthy meal!

 

~Rev. Gil Boersma is a Board Certified Chaplain and retired pastor of the West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church. Out of his experience in healthcare chaplaincy, Gil continues to deepen his own spiritual life and practices Spiritual Direction with individuals and groups.

Last Updated on October 27, 2023