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Teach us to PrayMarch 17, 2009Matthew 6:7-13 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. Every Sunday Christians in churches all around the world recite in unison a similar version of the prayer that we find in Matthew 6. It is known to most of us as The Lord's Prayer. The fact that we pray this prayer every week reveals to us its importance. On the other hand, the fact that we pray this prayer so often also turns it into a formality, just another thing we do every week at church. When Jesus' disciples asked him how they should pray, Jesus didn't tell them to remove their hats, bow their heads and close their eyes. Instead of teaching them correct technique, Jesus taught them this prayer that focuses on nurturing one's relationship with God. Jesus begins the prayer by calling God "Father." This is a significant naming, not to be overlooked as we so often do today. God is not just Jesus' father, but our father. That means that we are God's children. God claims us. The prayer continues asking for God's kingdom to come and God's will be done. The world we live in is not perfect; in fact, it often feels far-removed from God. Just like the disciples, we live in a world where everyone is listening to the same radio station, WIIFM (What's In It For Me). We spend most of our time and energy concerned about our own security, rather than focusing on God's direction for our lives and our world. To pray for God's kingdom to come and God's will to be done means that we must stop focusing on ourselves and instead turn our energy and attention to what God wants for us. Next, Jesus asks God to give us "our daily bread." This can be viewed as both a literal and figurative request. For those early Christians living day by day, not knowing where their next meal would come, this is a request for daily provisions. Bread was an important staple food. Jesus the Christ can also be thought of as daily bread. He is the source of our livelihood and keeps us going each and everyday. Jesus also speaks of forgiveness. He says that just as God forgives us, so we should also forgive others. Jesus acknowledges that we are all sinners and in need of God's forgiveness. No one is exempt. God is always willing to forgive us of our waywardness; all we have to do is ask. As forgiven people, we must go and do likewise. Many people have wronged us; no one is perfect. We honor God when we forgive others of their wrongs against us. Jesus closes the prayer with a plea to no longer be tempted and to be removed from evil. Jesus recognizes that the human soul is in a constant state of struggle between being loyal to God and being drawn elsewhere. With humility, we must recognize this struggle in ourselves and daily seek God's guidance in our lives. This is how we should pray. Homework: Since we so often pray this prayer in haste. I invite you this week to say this prayer slowly, praying it phrase by phrase and word by word. For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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