By Joan Bay Klope

I love words, but that was not always the case. I was not a particularly strong speller in elementary school and when I’d ask someone to spell a word for me, I was routinely reminded to check a dictionary.

“How will I find a word I can’t spell?” I’d ask, with great annoyance.

Today, I dive inside my dictionary on a regular basis with enjoyment. The first dictionary I received as a gift came from my head editor at Regal Books. His name was Earl Roe and he made it clear I must always choose a Merriam-Webster because he believed this was the finest dictionary available. He also took time to give me a tour of my new dictionary, making me aware of the fascinating information presented in back pages I had never before perused. That was 25 years ago and today I keep a current version in my den even though I can easily venture online to dictionary.com.

I also keep updated on language by listening carefully to my kids and their friends. The girls’ basketball game was “tight!” A new song downloaded onto someone’s iPod is “sweet!” It’s a language far different from my youth when we wore “groovy” bell-bottomed pants and would never have thought to call people —- boys and girls, men and women — “dude!” to gain their attention.

While I would feel uncomfortable using such youthful expressions today, my husband and I are known to cut loose with an enthusiastic, “cool!” once in awhile and the kids understand our sentiments without embarrassment.

Language is a great unifier.

Workplace language is equally interesting to me and my husband’s 28 years with the Navy as a civilian biologist has introduced an interesting assortment of words. Of all the environmental and governmental language I have acquired over the years by talking with Matt about his career, I find acronyms the most fun.

As a way of shortcutting bulky Navy terminology, acronyms come in handy, although at first glance they seem intimidating. Acronyms roll off my husband’s tongue with ease and my ears are attuned to their meaning with fair accuracy these days.

They can also be a whole lot of fun. Matt likes to repeat long acronyms with speed and on occasion slip in a silly twist, just to see if we are actively listening. One evening, NavOpDet became NavOpDetTrashCompact.

Language is useful and fun.

We Christians have our own acronyms. WWJD is perhaps the most readily recognizable. I see it printed on T-shirts, key chains, and plastic wrist bracelets. WWJD stands, of course, for “What Would Jesus Do?” It is a question I often ask myself as I encounter events during my day. I want to train my heart to react as Jesus would: with compassion, patience, love, and repeated forgiveness. It is hard work at times, but visualizing four simple letters reminds me of a life-altering concept I am committed to incorporating into my life.

The other day, I discovered a young Christian friend of mine wearing a bracelet with the word PUSH. When I inquired about the meaning, I learned that it’s a motivational acronym being used by his youth group and it stands for, “Pray Until Something Happens.” I value this simple acronym as it’s easy to remember and encourages me to stay committed to prayer even when I’m feeling emotionally dry. Or when it feels like I’m talking to the ceiling. Or when I worry that my prayers might not change an outcome that greatly concerns me.

Prayer is conversation with God. It can be a spontaneous outpouring from one’s heart and mind and take the form of words, art, music, or dance. It can be tender or impassioned.

It can also be liturgical and conceived by someone else. Many of my favorite liturgical prayers were written long ago and their familiarity soothes me each time I read them. They commonly include language that reflects another era but continues to embrace the passion and depth of experiences to which I can relate. Liturgical prayers whispered long ago are frequently found in hymnals. Even the book of Psalms offers song-like prayers that are famous for their raw honesty. Liturgical prayers are most useful to people too scared or upset to think clearly. Opening to a familiar prayer or reciting the lines of a prayer memorized long ago can bring comfort and bind the hearts of people worldwide who know the same prayers you do.

Prayers can be said on your behalf or on behalf of someone else. They can include specific requests, intercessions, thanksgiving, praise, and adoration. They can also include terror, fear, worry, heartbreak, anger, and frustration.

Whatever language you choose, and however you choose to express yourself, your prayers are heard. They will unite hearts. Move mountains. Be heard in the most heavenly of places.