Prayer is talking to God, with or without words. The Episcopal Church USA defines eight types of prayer: adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition. This article will define prayers of oblation, explain how to offer sacrifices to God, and explore the benefits of self-giving for a divine purpose.
What is a Prayer of Oblation
Oblation comes from a Latin word meaning "offering or gift." The Epsicopal Church, USA defines a prayer of oblation as "an offering of ourselves, our lives and labors, in union with Christ, for the purposes of God" (Book of Common Prayer 857). Any time a person makes a gift for another focusing on his or her concept of God, this is an oblation.
In Roman Catholic religious communities, people who become affiliated, without taking religious orders themselves, are known as "oblates" because they offer their resources to the ministry of a particular community. Though the word is not used in other communities, any believer who offers gifts to a faith community is an oblate.
Believers offer many gifts to God or each other -- time, participation, compassion, money, to name only a few. A prayer of oblation implies offering some part of self to God's purpose. Anyone who has raised a family and sacrificed his or her own desires in the hope of others' future has offered more oblations than it is possible to count! Indeed, the act of praying itself is an act of oblation, for a prayer offers the immediate concerns of a believer to God.
How to Offer Oneself as a Gift, or Oblation, to Others
Many people struggle to find balance between family, work, and their relationship with God and a faith community, if applicable. Offering oneself to volunteer for yet another task or responsibility that will sap vital energy and cause frustration, resentment, and yet another chore on the to-do list is not a healthy offering. Spending quality time with one's family seeking a deeper peace and intimacy, however, may bring others and self joy and prove a worthy offering to God.
Imagine giving the perfect gift to a dear friend or loved one. The loved one delights in the gift, of course, but you also had fun thinking about the gift, looking for it, preparing it, and waiting to see the look on the other person's face.
Now imagine giving the gift of yourself to others in the same way. Consider what the other needs, but also consider what delights and excites you. The perfect gift comes from the heart and ends up giving to both the receiver and the giver.
Take some time to reflect on how you might like to offer yourself for a greater purpose. Every human being is unique with special gifts. Finding the right environment where those gifts blossom and flourish does take time and patience but is well worth the effort.
Benefits of Offering Self to Others as an Oblation
When one is careful about giving the self for the right reasons, not just to fit in or assuage personal guilt, offering the self as an oblation can be a satisfying, even joyful experience. The personal satisfaction that comes from doing something for someone else that you is enjoy is a reward in and of itself.
Reaching out and giving the self builds social bonds as well. Noticing others and offering time and caring deepens old relationships and kindles new ones. In addition, setting an example of giving encourages others to give in return.
Prayers of Oblation can be as simple as smiling and saying "Good Morning," or as complicated as vowing to cut down on the clutter in life, for sometimes the most powerful prayers are actions, not words. Indeed, one's offerings to God will depend on one's unique personality and the opportunities available. Giving does not have to be a chore, but with careful planning and deep listening, can become an outlet for passion and love of life.
For more on other types of prayer, try Prayers of Petition, How to Pray for the Self or Prayers of Adoration: How to Enjoy God.
SOURCES:
Book of Common Prayer. Church Publishing Corporation. 1979.
Lewis, Charlton T. Latin Dictionary. Perseus Online Language Project. 2008.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
