'PRAYER TIPS



PRAYER TIPS

Matthew 6:1-18

Prayer Message Series

January 8, 2017

Pastor Nathan J. Thompson

I remember one time when I turned to the congregation and said very formally, “Let’s pray!” However as I turned toward the altar and looked at my service book I realized I was in the wrong place. So then I turned around and said again formally, “Let’s not!”

Prayer unfortunately is something that confuses and scares many people. One reason is that as we have sometimes listened to other people pray we may have surmised that certain people are expert “pray-ers.” Either that or we may have thought that only certain people are blessed with the kind of eloquence needed; that only some individuals know the exact words to say.

As a seminary student I remember going one time to a church of a different denomination where the pastor’s prayer was almost as long as his sermon; in fact his prayer was like a sermon. He told God about all the terrible things in the world; he prayed for the salvation of those who didn’t know Jesus, etc. This pastor definitely had a lot that he thought he needed to tell God.

Yet sadly my mind wandered off to other things. I began to wish that he would be done. I began to wonder if perhaps I was the only one there who felt that way. I wondered if I perhaps was not as spiritually disciplined as I should be.

In thinking about prayer it is these kinds of images that lots of people may have. I distinctly remember in my first parish where I served two congregations meeting with the women’s Bible study leaders each month. I would often talk with and encourage them about praying a prayer when their particular circle would meet.

However some said they could never pray like Berdella; Carol; Gladys. Their image was that there were some super “pray-ers” who knew exactly how to do it. Since certain women were very eloquent with their prayers, others said they just wouldn’t dare to pray out loud for fear that they would fumble their words; that they would say something really stupid.

Jesus was one who made a point of addressing this whole issue of prayer. It seems as though in Jesus' time there were some very religious people who made a really big deal out of praying in public; in fact they would make it almost into a big showy production. These were individuals who loved to have others look at and hear them.

Jesus however warned them that any individual can easily be a hypocrite if their prayers are mostly a show; if they are not being lived out in their daily existence. In other words it is relatively easy to say all kinds of religious (spiritual) words in an eloquent way; yet these words mean nothing if one does not put those words into practice.

Perhaps you remember how Jesus actually told a story (parable) about this in Luke 18. He used the illustration of a Pharisee (a very religious person) who prayed very publicly in the middle of the temple, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people; robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

On the other hand Jesus shares that the tax collector who was hiding in the corner would not even look up to heaven. Beating his chest in remorse he said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” Jesus then concludes his teaching story by saying, “I tell you this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” (Luke 18:14)

Jesus was emphasizing the truth that God is not impressed at all by religious pomp and circumstance. God is not impressed by pastors; bishops; TV preachers; so-called religious super stars showing off their fame or ecclesiastical positions. Jesus on the contrary is ready to receive the prayer of any individual who may not even feel worthy to pray.

Jesus is ready to receive the prayer of anyone who truly understands; who truly knows and admits that they are a sinner who is in need of God’s love and grace. He is ready to receive the prayer of any individual who doesn’t think too highly of themselves; one who stands before God in humbleness, faith and trust.

The truth of Jesus’ words is that prayer is always more about God than about us. God in fact doesn’t need our information; he doesn't need our opinions and insights at all. He already knows everything about us; he understands our world and our personal needs much better than we do. God therefore is not the one who needs our prayers.

Prayer then is not for God—it is for us. True prayer is meant then to focus our hearts; our whole existence on God and on his Word. True prayer lifts up and acknowledges that we are not the center of the universe; we are not the masters of our own destiny. True prayer rather acknowledges that we (none of us) can live without God.

It acknowledges that God is the source of our life and salvation. It acknowledges that we have faith and trust in God’s love and promises. True prayer then opens our hearts to our need for forgiveness; for new life; it opens our hearts to the needs and concerns of others. Prayer then is more about God; it is more about his will than it is about us.

That of course is why Jesus used the Lord's Prayer as an example; as a way to teach us about true prayer. In the Lord's Prayer of course we pray that God’s name may be hallowed in us; that his kingdom may come in us; that his will may be done in our hearts.

We also pray that we may remember that our daily bread (all our daily needs) come from his gracious hand. We pray that we may forgive others in the same way God so graciously forgives us. Also we pray that we may have God’s help in the time of trial; that we may be protected from the evil one. The focus is squarely on God and God alone.

A number of years ago I heard a very helpful way to think about and remember how to pray (perhaps you have also heard this illustration). It uses the first letters of the word, “ACTS.” The letter “A” stands for “Adoration.” Whenever we pray it is good to begin with adoration and praise; to celebrate God’s love and goodness.

A great way to do that is to meditate on the wonder of God’s creation; to reflect on the miracle of birth and of life. Another great way is to sing a song of praise. Messiah's Praise Band lifts up a time of adoration and praise each Sunday with some wonderful praise (worship) songs.

This of course is not something that we as Lutherans are often very good at—yet I want to commend each of you at Messiah for embracing this worship and praising God from your hearts!

The second letter in the word ACTS is “C”, which stands for “Confession.” As we pray it is always important to take some time to confess our sins; to confess those things we feel bad about; to confess that we are sinners totally in need of God’s love and forgiveness.

Now again lots of people coming out of our mainline church backgrounds think of confession as only some kind of liturgical prayer in a service; yet how many times do we just say these words without really thinking?

True confession comes when we take the time to honestly think about our words; our actions; our whole existence. It is a time when we seek to listen to God’s word; when we don’t just say some printed words; when we truly feel the need for change.

Confession then can be said anytime during the day, “Lord, forgive those thoughts I just had; Forgive what I just did to that person,….” Confession can be in a song or hymn; as our hearts and emotions are brought into God’s presence. I know I have been drawn to tears many times when I sing, Beautiful Savior; Lord, You Are So Precious To Me; Lord I Need You; etc. It happens as I truly feel God’s love and forgiveness for me a sinner.

The third letter in the word ACTS is “T,” which stands for “Thanksgiving.” This part of prayer should not be hard for any of us since we are all blessed with so much. Yet this part of prayer can be extremely difficult. The reason being that if we are truly thankful then our hearts will be moved to give and share with others. Thanksgiving then is not just some nice words; rather it is seen in a life (an attitude) of joy and giving.

Finally in the word ACTS is “S,” which stands for “Supplication.” This is a big word which means that we lift up the needs; the concerns; the intercessions of others. It is a powerful part of prayer because it focuses us on our real purpose in life—which is to live for others.

Individuals who truly pray for others are always more understanding and grace centered in their relationships; in their opinions and judgments of others. Individuals who pray for others don’t tend to be as selfish; as me centered. Individuals who pray for others are often moved to providing care and help for those in need. Praying for others changes our own lives; our own attitudes far more than it changes others.

Therefore in our Matthew text for today Jesus teaches us that prayer is not to be a show or production. It is rather a way that each of us (no matter if our words flow easily or are more of a struggle) can communicate with God. What matters most then is our hearts; our complete focus on God and his love.

Another use of letters from a word is FAITH. Forsaking All I Take Him. This then is the key to prayer—Forsaking all I take him.

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