Jesus on the free range nature of prayer

Imagine the disciples listening in on Jesus’ prayers. Did they burn to pray like he did? Did they experience a new reality of God’s presence due to being privileged in hearing the Living Word pray? Did they become hungry to join with him in his access to heaven’s ear? Who knows? But what I personally know of prayer’s affect on a soul has made me sure that they where drawn to enter a conversation with God! 

I have learned that when you pray with others amazing things happen. You find yourself learning the heart of the other. You find the space that is so prevalent between people begins to shorten till no space remains. On the edge of life’s indirect wonder peering into the veiled depths of another’s soul. This is what happened to me in Macon Ga around 1997. Paul and Eric two boys I knew as friends became bothers when in one night of Spirit infused our hearts and our prayers. That night of prayer was an experience of “prayer in the spirit” galvanizing our hearts together. I came away knowing them in a genuine and real way.  I found myself profoundly connected to them. Our friendship became stronger than steal and flexible as plastic! I believe this is what the disciple’s experienced with jesus and it drove them to ask “Lord, teach us to pray!

So Jesus taught them to pray and Matthew 6:5-15, we see this teaching in its entirety. This passage reminds us, how we pray, who we pray to, what we are to pray for. Jesus begins with how we are to pray (v.5-8)

I.  How are we to pray – with Sincerity and Thoughtfulness

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

                                                                                                               Matt 6:5-8 (NASB)

Having a secret relationship with the Father

Hear we see Jesus using his favorite whipping boys, the religious leaders of his day, as an illustration of what not to do. They loved the spotlight like puff-daddy loves “bling".  The religious leaders lived for, as Jesus states, “that they may be seen by men.” Every time they prayed it had to be like the red carpet, bulbs flashing reporters gabbing, or they saw no need in praying.  That can be understood to mean that they loved having people think they highly of their prayers.  That is about as insincere as one can be. So Jesus contrasted it with one that has a secret life with the Father. He pleads with them to cultivate a secret life with God. A life that smiles quietly when the news of a healing or miracle is all over the community knowing that the tears and sweat in secret were rewarded. A life that rejoices with others but never gives in to the compulsion to take a piece of the credit. A Life of sincerity before God, as one comes to God. The sincere prayer is one where the person praying speaks truly about their own feelings, thoughts, and desires. Such prayer is risky for the ordinary walls used in everyday life are demolished and one is open to the outside world.

Thoughtfulness in praying

Jesus continues by reminding how not to pray. Jesus states don’t pray like the heathens do. First, this prayer is described as a manipulative marathon prayer. The over abundance of speech and length was only an attempt to manipulate God into doing some thing they wanted him to do. Second, it is described as a “bla bla” prayer. These are prayers with no personal meaning for the words have been said so many times they have lost there meaning to the speaker. The Heart is empty, the brain is dry, but the mouth is in motion. Jesus states don’t pray – with phrases that have become empty. Today I still hear these prayers roll off the lips of my lazy tongue. You may say it but you don’t understand what you are saying. Here are a few I have caught myself saying.

·         “lead –guide – direct us!”

·         “strengthen me with the power of your strength” (I still don’t know what I meant by that)

·         “if it be thy will” (when you “KJV It” that’s a dead give away)

·         “hide me in the cross”

·         “Cover me in your grace”

I had to learn to think through what I prayed. I would encourage you to make the words you use in prayer resonate with personal meaning. Fully and with open understanding speak to The Lord in words so rich to your soul that they move you. Years ago I began a meditative practice of thinking through the word and phrases I used and over used in prayer. Words like redemption, blood of Jesus, power, love, and even faith. It was through this practice that emotion came back to my prayer life, like fresh dew on dry ground I was infused with new life. This was because meaning had been restored to my prayers. For me to pray, “cover me with your blood”- came with fresh realization of redemption. And I was moved! 

II. Who we pray to (v9)

9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. - Matt 6:9 (NASB)

1.  FATHER GOD

Who are we praying too – We pray to a loving father. I could meditate with heart filled glee on the nature of the Father. Hear Jesus reminds us in subtle ways who we are praying too. First – look at the name itself, “Father”. He is Father. A holy and loving father: One different, better, and utterly unique than anything we know on this earth, A Father of loving concern for your hurts and needs.  When you speak – he stoops. When you cry – he turns a concerned ear! Then you look heavenward to expose your heart bare and find a father gentle and with meticulous care ushering you into his council. That is the Father God we worship!

2. OUR FATHER

The Spirit showed me one time how jesus spoke of the father as our father. I had never seen that before. He said “OUR father as to say Father God is a father of many children.” When we pray, we enter into a reality shared by many. Many languages, many hearts in a singular expression, it is great that God’s ears are big enough to hear us all at once. We are children all sitting at the feet of one so great. This reality lets us in on a secret of heaven- Our Father is the father of many children.  This should rap us up in unity - a unity at his feet, under his care, and in his love. 

3. A Father full of power

When we speak of God as father that does not weaken him as Lord it intensifies the connection. He is our father imminent and near but also in heaven transcendent and in control. That is why Jesus added the “in heaven” part. He is our father in heaven. We can have confidence our God is not powerless but a well meaning God.  He is not a good But week father, not a dad that is a wimp but a warrior Father! One who has the power to make the sun to stand still! One who with a mere word set the stars in the sky and the oceans in the deep! This Power is only equaled by his love and only comparable to His greatness. So let us have confidence in our powerful father!

III. What are we to ask from God

 There are 6 petitions in the rest of the Lord’s Prayer. I will only look at one. The first petition is an interesting one and often over looked. It is top of the list for a reason. It carries in it the resonate promise of the new covenant. That is why the first in this case is the most important and I believe at the heart of Jesus teaching us to pray. 

Hallowed be Your name

Hollowed is from the root word holy, a word with an important meaning in theology. Between the H and the Y of holy there is a deep well of understanding waiting to be mined. For the sake of time we will just say that holy can be understood as “different or unique”. The word “name” implies God’s character. So to say “hollowed be your name” is not just a statement of worship though it is a great one and it is a call to worship. Its message is saying, “Lord, may your character be unique and different in this world!” It is saying, reveal yourself Lord, and unveil your glory to the nations. Be known as I know you Lord; be known in your fullness as Father, Son and Spirit! It is a prayer that God would pour rivers of revelation on humanity! This is a God obsessed prayer; A God-centered prayer – A God-purposed prayer. It is a personal prayer for More of God and a corporate prayer for a move of God! So we can understand this prayer in two movements. First, to pray “holy be your name” is to pray for more of God. That he would come and pour the abundance of his life, power and love into you. Second, to pray “Holy is your name” with others is to pray for a move of God! That is to pray the knowledge of God would invade the land and shake the earth.

So ask your father to make his name holy among the nations, with sincerely and thoughtfulness fill your cup only to spill it out as a drink offering.