Pray Privately Series

HoHum:

My Uncle Galen taught me how to tie my shoes. Many before him attempted to help me but they did it backwards to the way I did it. When my Uncle Galen showed me it was the right way, left handed people do it the right way because they are in their right mind. Whether it’s losing weight, or playing the guitar or throwing a curveball, most of us are smart enough to at least consult an expert when learning new skills- or honing an existing skill to a new level.

Who taught you to pray? What early prayer experiences do you recall?

WBTU:

This is what the first followers of Jesus did when they came to Him and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Jesus said that he came to give us life and life to the full, or life more abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus was the perfect example of one who life life to the full. He lived a rich life, a healing life, a life filled with laughter and son, a life that exuded beauty and blessing. Were there sad and tough times? Yes, but lived life to the full. Jesus could endure intense temptation without giving in. He could withstand violent opposition without buckling. He could sleep through a storm. He could heal with a touch or a word. He could charm children and mesmerized crowds. He knew how to work hard, and He knew how to rest well. He owed nothing and owned little but never wanted. He constantly gave but never suffered a decline. Imagine a life like that. But how did Jesus live such a life? Son of God yes but Jesus told us to live a life to the full, an abundant life. What can we imitate from Jesus that will help us live a full life? Prayer was essential to Jesus. This is why the followers of Jesus asked him to teach them to pray. They weren’t saying they had never seen anyone pray. These were Jews, after all. They had prayed all their lives. They prayed at least 3 times a day. Jesus’ followers asked about prayer not because they knew nothing about prayer but because they saw the fruits of Jesus’ prayers. And Jesus answered their request. He taught them to pray. Over next several months will focus on a single word or phrase from the teachings and prayers of Jesus- the “red letters” in some Bible versions- and help us begin to fashion a red letter prayer life that will open the secrets of power and life for us.

Thesis: Today it is pray privately. Read Matthew 6:5-6.

For instances:

A. When we pray- Matthew 6:5

Notice that Jesus says “When you pray,” not “If you pray.” Jesus assumed that his disciples would pray. Many people pray and have little idea they are doing it. God or Jesus Christ. Well, in times of disappointment or upheaval, we may cry out, “Why?” Or “Why me?” Or “Why this?” Without a moment’s thought of who we are asking. Jesus knew that his first followers prayed, but not like He prayed. They saw in Jesus a different way to pray with better results. As far as we know, Jesus never taught His followers how to preach. But He instructed them in prayer- and not just once but many times. He assumes that we will pray. In our busy world we often neglect times of prayer. Sweet hour of prayer- how many do this? When Jesus said, “When you pray,” He communicated His desire for us to reflect His practice and prescription. He intended for us to pursue a red letter prayer life.

What do you find frustrating and fulfilling about prayer?

B. What Not to Do- Example of the hypocrites

What Not to Wear was a reality television series that ran from 2003 through 2013. Most episodes featured someone whose friends, coworkers, or relatives decided that he or she needed a fashion makeover. The nominee would be followed and videotaped without her (usually a female) knowledge for 2 weeks. The hosts of the show, Stacy and Clinton, would review the secret footage and comment candidly on all that was wrong with the nominee’s fashion choices. Then the hosts and the person who made the nomination would meet the nominee and offer $5,000 for the purchase of a new wardrobe, but only after the nominee agreed to accept the hosts’ advice and shop according to their rules. The nominee would then be brought into New York City for a week of shopping, hairstyling, skin treatments, and makeup instruction, which would, of course, produce an impressive- even life changing- transformation. Obviously, knowing what not to do can be a key step in learning what to do, whether we are talking about fashion or prayer. Jesus begins by giving the example of the hypocrites. To us, these words should like an exaggeration. After all, we seldom see people standing on street corners, praying. We are not Jews living in 1st century so this is lost on us. Bob Hostetler tells about the Kotel, or Western Wall, in Jerusalem’s Old City. It is the only surviving part of the ancient temple, an extremely holy place for Jews. Many of the massive stones in the wall have been worn smooth and polished by the touch of worshippers praying there. The cracks between the stones are crammed with tiny wads of paper on which people have written heartfelt prayers. Whether we are at the Kotel at midday or midnight, there are people standing and praying at the wall, men on one side and women on the other. As they pray, they move their lips and rock back and forth, a process called davening. Prayer by the crowd at the Kotel is similar to prayer as devout Jews practiced it in Jesus’ day. The most devout among them would daven not only in the synagogues but also in all sorts of public places, particularly at one of the formally accepted times of prayer- evening, morning and noon. Jesus wasn’t overstating matters when He referred to people praying “that they may be seen by others.” This was a common practice in the 1st century Palestine. In our day and culture, we don’t daven but we will face temptations. One such temptation is to try to sound like someone else when we pray. Another is to impress others with our refinement, flowery or dramatic language. Prayers of self righteousness. James Mulholland wrote: “When I pray this way I act as if God answers the most impressive prayers. Of course, I’m not really concerned with whether God answers or not. The true purpose of such prayer is to impress people rather than God. This kind of prayer is all about me: look at me, listen to me, be impressed with me.” Strutting prayer is sham prayer.