Sermon - 2014-03-12 - Prayer

When I was growing up, we always prayed at meal times.  It was a tradition that we always did.  Someone would take a turn to pray.  It helped each one of us pray, be reminded of how God gave us this meal, and for us to give thanks.  I remember growing up and praying the Lord’s Prayer at church. I remember having to memorize it and recite it for Confirmation.  However, prayers outside of these two times were difficult.  I mean, what do you pray for? How long do I pray?  How do I end? How do I start? Are people actually listening for what I am praying? Should I have my eyes closed?  Hands folded? Should I lift up my arms?  

When I would go to pray, I would be consumed with so many questions.  I wondered so that I would often forget the real purpose of prayer. I would forget that I was in communication with God.  I would get so lost in the presentation and performance of prayer.   I would forget the very simple purpose and gift that it truly is.  So overwhelmed wondering if I was doing a good job. Was I saying or doing that I needed to remind myself? What was the very essence of it all?

There are some important things to be reminded of:

1. Pray what’s on your heart. Yes anything,

Pray for loved ones, love with enemies,

Pray for those who instruct you, teachers,

Pray for leaders, guidance, compassion, understanding,

Pray for the poor, the weak, those who are sick

Pray for yourself.  

2. Stop and listen.  

It is this basic structure of prayer that Jesus teaches his own disciples to pray.  Please note, that in Matthew Jesus simply instructs the disciples in how to pray but within Luke Jesus is asked by one of the disciples to instruct them in how to pray. Sometimes there are some things that we ask for and don’t realize it.  Other times we get but do not realize how great a gift we receive.  It is not until we live into it and live it out for a while that we realize it . Jesus gave the disciples this prayer to help them stop and think about their own prayer and needs, but also for prayers for others.  Prayers so that we are enriched by what we pray but the life we live as well.  

I am not going to walk you through the Lord’s Prayer explaining each part and explaining the meaning.  I will not spend time with each of the small words that make up this well known prayer.  This prayer is one that is spoken by millions of Christians throughout the world and throughout history.  Someone has already done that in the Small Catechism written by Martin Luther.  He did a very good job.  However, I would like to note why this prayer is still very important for us today.  

When we gather together to pray, this prayer given to the Disciples of Jesus Christ, helps us connect, relate and understand the millions of Christians who are currently following the faith of Christianity.  We connect with those who are already standing in the presence Jesus Christ.  When we pray to “Our Father, who art in heaven…” we are gathering together being united with all of God’s people throughout the world and throughout time.  The Lord’s Prayer helps us be reminded of the bigger picture of the world that surrounds us.  It helps by reminding us that all our daily needs including things that sustain us, are indeed gifts given to us by God.  When we pray, “...give us this day, our daily bread….”,  it helps us engage us in all the small aspects of our life. Remembering that the small and simple things are often the most important and should not be overlooked or undervalued.  

When we pray “...forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”  we are thinking through our own relationship with God and others.  We think of those relationships that we encounter every day.  We stop and think about all the ways in which God has forgiven us in our own lives.  We also need to stop and think how are we forgiving those within our own life.  How are we treating them and helping them to grow? When we pray, “...lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil….” we are asking that God would help us to change but also protect us from others and ourselves.  There are times that others will harm us, but there are also times in which we inflict pain upon ourselves.  And finally above all, we pray, “...for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory…” we pray that it is the kingdom of God that we shall serve.  It is in God’s kingdom of which we shall be a part.  For when we pray for this, we become part of the peace, justice, and love that God shares with us every single day.  A peace and love that surpasses all understanding, leading us to the fullness of life whcih we are truly seeking within the world.  

As we live out our day, we should be reminded of connection to one another, and our relationship with God. Through our own prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, we are able to begin, continue, and be engaged with those conversations.  And above all, we give thanks to the God who loves us, sustains us, and wants a relationship with us messed up people.  Amen.