We find ourselves in the eleventh chapter of Luke. The story begins with Jesus praying. This is not surprising because Jesus prayed often. The scriptures tell us he prayed when he was alone and he prayed in public. He prayed before meals. He prayed before, and after healing. He prayed before making an important decision. He prayed to do God’s will, and he prayed before he taught about the importance of prayer. I feel comfortable saying, no one has ever prayed more than Jesus. This story begins with Jesus praying.
Once he had finished praying, the disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, like the followers of John. The disciples are not looking for instructions on how to hold their hands or close their eyes. The disciples are looking for exact words. Every rabbi, every teacher, taught their students, or disciples, scripted prayers. If you heard the prayer, then you could identify the individual’s rabbi. John had taught his disciples a certain prayer that was unique from all other rabbis. Jesus’s disciples wanted him to teach them a unique prayer so they can be like everyone else in their uniqueness. Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer has five different petitions. Matthew’s longer verse of the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13, has seven petitions. The disciples asked Jesus about prayer years ago, but the topic is still relevant.
Many people in our time do not understand prayer. As I have mentioned in recent blogs, prayer is not about getting what you desire. Prayer is about cultivating a friendship with God. During this season of Lent, I would encourage you to examine the attitudes you bring into your prayer life. Never forget, you are speaking to the God of the universe, not your next-door neighbor. Let me ask you three questions.
When you pray, do you pray with a grateful spirit? In Jesus’s prayer, he was thankful for his daily bread. Jesus doesn’t just want us to be thankful for life’s extras. He wants us to be thankful for life’s basics: your home, your food, your loved ones and your health. This is a fair question. Do you see what you have, or do you only see what you want? When you pray, do you pray with a grateful heart?
When you pray, do you pray with a forgiving spirit? In Jesus’s prayer, he tells us to forgive others, as God has forgiven us. Do you need to be liberated from your unforgiving heart? The event may have happened years ago, or it could have happened recently. In the end, your unforgiving heart is damaging you. Who do you need to forgive today? Is it possible you need to forgive yourself? How can you talk with God, who forgave you of so much, and not forgive someone else? When you pray, do you pray with a forgiving spirit?
When you pray, do you pray with a trusting spirit? In Jesus’s prayer, we are to trust God. “Lead us not into temptation.” The key word in that line is lead. There is a world of difference between being led and being an adviser. Many want to advise God. How far do you trust God? When you pray, do you pray with a trusting spirit? Let me end with this story.
Years ago, I was visiting someone at a local hospital. I parked in the parking deck, crossed the street and entered the hospital. After getting my person’s room number at the information desk, I headed for the elevators. I punched the up button and waited for the elevator to arrive. As I waited a young man joined me. He was wearing a knit cap and a red, green and black leather jacket. We stood side by side waiting for our elevator, but it was clear we came from different worlds.
I couldn’t help but notice he was holding a six-pack of Colt 45 under his arm. Don’t be so pious – you know what Colt 45 is. At one time, Billy Dee Williams (born 1937) was Colt 45’s spokesperson. It’s a malt liquor. I will be honest with you, I have never drunk a single Colt 45 because I am afraid. I am sure it tastes horrible, and someone told me when I was young, it could cause blindness. This is where the story gets interesting. I couldn’t resist. I looked at the young man and asked him if he bought the six-pack at the hospital gift shop. He laughed and smiled, revealing his gold tooth. He said, “No sir, I bought it at the gas station across the street.” I was afraid to enter that gas station too. He continued, “I’m taking them to my sick friend here in hospital and we are going to split them.” He asked me if I was visiting a sick friend. I said, “Yes,” and told him I was a minister. He put down his Colt 45 and stuck out his hand. As we shook hands, he said, “My name is Rodney. Why don’t you come with me to my friend’s room? You can say a short pray for him and the three of us can share some Colt 45.” I thanked him for the invitation but refused. My mom raised no fools. I just couldn’t see how it could end well. Can I ask you a question? Do you think Rodney had the right attitude about prayer? Maybe this is a better question.
Do you have the right attitude about prayer? Prayer is not just a way to get what you want. Prayer is cultivating a friendship with the God. The next time you pray ask yourself three questions: Do you pray with a grateful spirit? Do you pray with a forgiving spirit? Do you pray with a trusting spirit? Did you know 55% of all Americans pray daily? How many of those people pray with the right attitude? The great reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Never give up prayer!
Russ Adams 