Good morning. In our adult Sunday school class at NLCC we are considering the topic of prayer at this point of our study of Francis Chan’s “Basic” books and videos. This has proven to be a valuable study and has encouraged some excellent discussion. I will soon be sharing a bit of an inclusion to the series with a couple of weeks being given to a closer examination of the Lord’s Prayer, as we read it in Matthew 6:5-15. For our thought today, I would like us to consider Jesus’ words of introduction to His instruction on prayer: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:5-6
Jesus begins with a “don’t do it like this” example. Apparently, it was a common sight around the temple at the time of Jesus to see the Pharisees and others who wanted to be recognized for their superior “religiousness” to pray for maximum human effect. Whether they were praying in the synagogues, which was their place of worship, or outside and in public view, it was all about being heard and seen by people. They prayed “at the street corners” Jesus said. This would mean they waited to pray until they could be seen from all directions. They were not praying to their heavenly Father they were simply acting out a part for the people.
Imagine a lawyer putting the Lord’s prayer into his own words: “We respectively request, and entreat, that due and adequate provisions be made this day and upon this date hereinafter subscribed, for the organizing of such methods and allocations and distribution as may be deemed necessary to properly assure the reception by and for said petitioner of such quantities of baked cereal products as shall, in the judgement of the aforementioned parishioners, constitute a sufficient supply thereof.”
The way Jesus put it: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
God isn’t interested in a show, He is interested in you. He isn’t interested in your vocabulary He is interested in your needs. He isn’t concerned with how you may be considered by the people around you, He is interested what you have to say to Him.
Jesus begins His instruction on prayer from His “Sermon on the Mount” with a clear command: make your prayers private, between you and God, no matter where, or when, or why you are praying. Make your prayers a matter of genuine communication with your Heavenly Father. In fact, Jesus tells us, find a quiet, private place, a place where you will not be distracted, a place where you can give God your full attention not only to speak, but also to listen. Find that quiet prayer closet or corner where you don’t have to worry about the thoughts of others, where your only concern is Him, and you in His arms.
When you are called upon to pray in the presence of others, a not particularly uncommon thing for a person who is known for their faith, remember to focus on Him and what it is that you and your group genuinely need to bring to Him. The number of your words aren’t important, the truth of your heart is.
When you do take your personal prayer life into your private place that is reserved for the purpose of uninterrupted communication with God, you will begin to get comfortable. You will find that your prayer life is much easier to live and will find it much more fulfilling and enjoyable. When you reach that point of peace in your prayers in secret, it is much easier to close your eyes and focus your mind and heart in prayer at other times, even those moments when you may be asked to pray with others.
Relax, find peace, listen well, focus your spirit, focus your mind, feel His presence, enjoy your prayers.
Vern