Title: Let's Learn Prayer / Luke 11:1-4
Contents There was a unique aspect to Jesus' prayer. The content of Jesus' prayer was also unique. So one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach him. “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples” (verse 1).
For the Jews, prayer was not new. Even the disciple who asked Jesus had been praying up to that age. Nevertheless, he felt that his prayer life was lacking. He wanted to learn more about prayer. How beautiful it is to feel that your prayer life is lacking and have a desire to learn more.
The Lord happily taught his disciples to pray. This is the Lord's Prayer as we know it. Matthew 6:9-13 contains a slightly longer prayer than the text. Although this prayer is short and concise, it teaches us well what true prayer is.
First, true prayer must be casual.
"(Our Heavenly Father)"
Notice that this prayer begins with "Father." The same is true in the Gospel of Matthew. "Our Father in heaven." This makes it clear that the Lord's Prayer is a model for prayer for the disciples. Only those who are saved by believing in Jesus can become children of God and can call God Father.
It also suggests that prayer is not difficult. Not a few Christians unconsciously think that when they pray, they should use grandiose, dignified, and noble expressions. That's why I'm having a hard time praying. But prayer is pouring out what is in your heart to God as a child treats his father at home.
The Jews used the words "father" (my father) or "abinu" (our father) to refer to or call God, which was a bit stiff. On the other hand, the word Jesus used is “Abba” (Daddy), a familiar, everyday word that children use to call their father. When Jesus chose this word, he taught us to pray as a young child would speak to their father without formality or distance.
Second, true prayer must glorify God.
"Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come (Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven)"
Because Christians were bought with the shed blood of Jesus Christ, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we must do everything for the glory of God.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not yours, but you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19). -20)
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Of course, we should also give glory to God when we pray. This is the first thing we should do. Thank you for giving us the grace to call God our Father. Be grateful for being able to come boldly to the throne of grace at any time.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Giving thanks for the grace he has bestowed upon us like this is a way to glorify God.
Also, if God's name is to be sanctified, it will be to the glory of God. But how can God's name be sanctified? When the kingdom of God comes, it will be a glory to God. But how can the kingdom of God come? If God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven, it will be to the glory of God. But how can God's will be done on earth?
First, let God take the initiative in our lives so that God's reign will come into our lives. Then His kingdom will come into our lives.
"...The kingdom of God does not come with sight, neither can it be said that it is here or there, for the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).
Then his will will be done on earth, and his name will be sanctified. Therefore, “Hallowed be your name” and “Thy kingdom come” and “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” are essentially the same thing.
Then, evangelize so that those around us who do not know God can properly know and serve God. Then God's name will be sanctified among them.
Third, true prayer must be the pursuit of the common good.
After giving glory to God first, we can pray about our own needs. This prayer contains supplications for the three matters most in need of man. It is a matter of form and a matter of forgiveness and protection. In this connection, however, Jesus used the word “us” several times. What did you mean by that?
It means to pray, “Give us our daily bread,” not only to me, but also to others.
“Forgive us our sins” means to pray not only for our sins, but also for the sins of others.
“Lead us not into temptation” means to pray that not only me but others will fall into temptation as well.
Because God is not only my Father, but also the Father of others. He is “Our Father.” Therefore, we must be careful that our prayers to God do not become the pursuit of personal greed.
“...you do not have, because you do not ask; you ask and do not receive, because you ask erroneously, to spend it on lust” (James 4:2-3)
When you ask God for blessings, ask for blessings not only on yourself but also on others. If I seek God's blessing in what I do, I should strive to make it a blessing not only to myself but also to many others. We must pursue common interests and interests.
Speaking of the Civil War in a speech he gave in 1865 at the beginning of his second term as president, weeks before Abraham Lincoln was assassinated:
"Neither side wanted a long war of that scale, but the war broke out.... Both sides wanted an easy victory... Both read the same Bible, prayed to the same God, and prayed to God. I prayed for this help so that I could defeat my opponent."
And he added this:
“How can a person who asks for help from the God of Justice seek help by extorting the price of the sweat of others?”
We must not let our prayers become this kind of prayer.
Fourth, true prayer must be supported by works.
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive all who have sinned against us.”
God's forgiveness of our sins is entirely based on His grace, not because we forgive others. But if we have truly experienced His forgiveness, we will be more willing to forgive others. An unforgiving heart is an obstacle to fellowship with God. Therefore, when we come before Him in prayer, we must shake off everything.
“If I harbor iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).
Why the Lord's Prayer is not used as an order of worship
1. Matthew 6:9-13 was given as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and the text was given after one of the disciples who saw Jesus praying asked him to teach him to pray. Even though the words are given in different circumstances, it is clear that they contain the same content. Shouldn't both prayers be the same if the Lord intended them to be followed?
2. The Lord's Prayer begins with "Father". Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray like a child would treat their father without formality or distance when they prayed to God. But when a child speaks to his father, would he memorize a set word and repeat it every time, not just once? That can never happen. If so, repeating reading or memorizing the Lord's Prayer every time is far from what the Lord originally intended.
"And when you pray, do not keep babbling like the Gentiles, for they think that they will hear you when they speak a lot. Therefore, do not be like them..." (Matthew 6:7-8)