July 25

 

Shaped by Prayer

 

         For many people, the Lord’s Prayer is simply a prayer to recite. However, as we discover this prayer, we can find this model prayer to be a life-changing experience. There is no magic in a prayer, and mechanical recitation is empty and meaningless. Jesus discourages us to "not keep babbling like pagans who think they will be heard because of their repetitive prayers" (Matthew 6:7). But as we truly pray this prayer - with understanding - we may find it changes our lives. All the petitions in this prayer are in the imperative mode in the original Greek, which indicates there is intensity to prayer.

 

         Some people think of prayer as a parachute - they are glad it is there, but they hope they never have to use it. In prayer, we rely on God; prayer is our steering wheel, not our spare tire! Those who do not pray are trusting in their own, limited resources. Some people turn to God only when their fragile foundations are shaking, and they discover it is God who is doing the shaking.

 

         There is no "spiritual frosting" in the Lord’s Prayer. It avoids pompous, high-sounding phrases, sticking to simple, meaningful concepts. As our outline indicates, we begin with God’s glory, and then we bring up our needs. It has been said, "When God is first, prayer makes sense”. The Lord’s Prayer is God-centered, not me-centered.

 

We are encouraged to pray! Not just because that is what God has commanded you to do but because of the wonderful blessings connected with prayer. Bring your requests to God in humility but be bold knowing that God has promised to listen and to answer your prayers. Learn to pray unselfishly for others knowing that God will answer our prayers in the way that it best for others and us. What a wonderful privilege we possess! Do not take prayer for granted just because it is one of the first things you learned how to do as a Christian. Demonstrate its continued importance as you pray!

 

Pastor Sam