From our Pastor

Teach Us to Pray

Luke 11:1-13, Genesis 18:20-33                                        July 28/29, 2007

           Jesus had been off by himself, praying.  When he was done his disciples said, “Lord teach US to pray like John taught his disciples how to pray.”  Isn’t it interesting that while the disciples are talking with Jesus, talking with God, they ask how to talk to God?  That’s prayer:  talking to God.  They felt they needed some instructions.  Many of us today feel the same way.  “I don’t know how to pray,” says one person.  Many people say that they are uncomfortable praying, or don’t know what they should say.  The disciples felt the same way.  “Teach us to pray!” 

          Jesus is happy to do so.  “When you pray,” says Jesus, “say ‘Father.’”  This is one way Jesus tells us to relax.  Don’t be anxious or worried about talking to God.  Call him Father, Daddy.  Be comfortable.  Those of you who grew up with a loving father on earth, easily understand what Jesus is talking about.  Those who did not have a loving father, can learn.  You can talk to Daddy without fear.  You can trust your heavenly Father.  What’s more, you have a great relationship with him.  Because God’s Son, Jesus, was willing to leave the father for a time, we are able to be his sons and daughters.  That’s a privilege.  That’s an honor.  That’s a joy.  That’s family.  Don’t be afraid to talk to God!

          Next Jesus teaches us to pray, “holy be your name.”  God, as well as his name, his reputation, is holy whether we pray for it or not.  What we’re praying is that God’s name would be kept holy in our lives.  In Old Testament times the tabernacle, and later the temple, had a room called the most holy place where God’s presence most fully dwelled.  That temple was a holy place.  Since we have received Christ’s holy Spirit within us, we are each now a temple, where God dwells.  The temple should be kept holy.  The only way we could become holy is by God making us holy.  He made each of who believe in him most holy, holy enough that he could dwell within us.  Amazing!  God is so good.  We’d like that relationship of God being in us to continue.  May your name be holy, Lord, in my life.  Without God’s power not only could we not be holy in the first place, we’d have no hope of remaining that way.  Dear Lord, help us to live holy lives, and forgive us and sanctify us when we fail.

          “May your kingdom come,” we’re taught to pray next.  We’re thankful that God’s kingdom of love and forgiveness has already come to us.  We pray that God’s kingdom would come to many more people who do not yet know Jesus, who are not yet a part of the kingdom of God.  We pray also, that God’s everlasting kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, would come quickly.  That’s really praying that the end of the world would come quickly, that Jesus would come quickly to take us home to heaven. 

          Then Jesus tells us to ask for daily bread.  God provides all our needs.  He teaches us to ask for daily bread, not to ask for stockpiles of money.  Not to ask for sufficient resources so we can retire comfortably.  Jesus teaches us to pray for daily bread, food, and other provisions sufficient to meet our needs day by day.  Since God always provides our needs, included in this prayer is thanks to God for his goodness to us.  Godliness with contentment is great gain.

          When you pray say, “forgive us our sins.”  This petition is filled with good news.  God forgives us!  This reminds us of Jesus’ payment for us on the cross.  This reminds us that God is both willing and eager to forgive us when we have sinned and are sorry for what we’ve done.  Ask!  Ask God to forgive you.  Don’t wait.  Don’t hesitate.  Receive forgiveness and celebrate.  By the way, God expects that you will forgive others as God forgives you.  “Forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone who owes us.”  Our huge debt was paid on the cross.  Jesus has torn up our note of indebtedness.  God expects, demands, that we tear up the IOUs of those who owe us. 

          We’re weak, Lord.  Lead us not into temptation.  God surely doesn’t tempt anyone.  What we’re praying is that God would help us stand up to temptation, that he would help us avoid temptation, that we might live as his people. 

          It was the disciples who asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  But Jesus has a lot to say on the subject.  Jesus encourages us to keep on praying.  Be persistent in prayer.  Nag God.  Keep on nagging God.  Pester God.  Keep on pestering God.  Have you ever been pestered by a child?  I’ve seen it grocery stores on many occasions.  A child pestering it’s mother for some candy or something.  Just continually whining, and asking repeatedly over and over again. 

          While I don’t think God wants us to whine, he encourages us to keep pestering him, to keep talking, to keep praying.  Jesus uses the example of a man who has a visitor stop in at midnight, and he has nothing to put before him.  So he goes and knocks on a neighbor’s window who doesn’t want to leave the warmth and comfort of his bed.  But Jesus assures us that he’ll eventually get up because the man won’t let him alone.  He keeps on pestering him.  Keep on pestering God.  Don’t let him alone.  Keep asking.  Keep talking.  Abraham did that. 

          When Abraham heard that God was going to destroy the city of Sodom, Abraham was shocked.  How could a righteous and holy God do such a terrible thing?  Abraham knew that the city had a lot of problems.  But surely not everyone was wicked, Abraham thought.  How could God possibly destroy the righteous with the wicked?  Abraham put that question to God.  Would God kill everyone if there were 50 righteous?  God said no.  Abraham thought a little What if there weren’t quite 50 righteous people?  So he asked God what about if there are only 45 righteous?  God says for the sake of 45 he wouldn’t do it.  Abraham gets nervous, comes to God again.  If there were only 40 righteous in the place, would you destroy it?  No.  30?  No.  20?  10?  Finally Abraham is satisfied.  But note how he doesn’t leave God alone.  He wants answers.  He has to know what’s going to happen.  He has to know that he can depend on his God.  He has to plead for the sake of the people in Sodom.  His nephew lives in Sodom.  He pesters God.  He’s very respectful in the way he talks to God, but he doesn’t give up.  He keeps on asking. 

          Jesus tells us we should keep on pestering.  Don’t be afraid to ask, Jesus says in effect. God is not going to give you something bad.  Earthly fathers know not to give their kid a snake when he asks for a fish.  How much more will your heavenly father give you good things if you ask!  God will give you his Holy Spirit! 

          Keep pestering God.  Keep asking.  You’ll receive.  Keep searching.  You’ll find.  Keep knocking.  God will open doors for you.  Don’t be afraid.  Keep praying!  Keep talking to God.

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