In Jesus Holy Name July 27, 2019
Text: Luke 11:5-8,13b Pentecost VII - Redeemer
“The Shameless Neighbor”
Over the past 4 weeks we have been reading the parables and teachings of Jesus as written by Luke in His Gospel. Luke collected these stories and parables to answer the question: What does it mean to “follow Jesus? What is discipleship? What does a disciple of Jesus need to know about God?
There was the story of the Good Samaritan… demonstrate mercy and care. Today Luke answers the question “how should a disciple pray?” The disciple should trust God when we pray.
How do we pray? How should we pray? Are their special words? No How does God answer prayer? Why does God sometimes seem to ignore my prayers? These questions will be rolling just beneath the surface. Luke packs into these thirteen verses: The Lord's prayer, a parable on prayer, and then reminder that the disciple can be “shameless in prayer, trusting in a God of love and mercy.
Connection is what we deeply long for as human beings. That’s why so many people join clubs, service organizations and churches. There is no connection more profound and powerful than a personal connection with God. Prayer is our opportunity to connect to God, the Creator of the universe. realize to whom you are praying. you are praying to God, the all-powerful and glorious Creator of the universe. If you were asked to speak to the President of the United States or the Queen of England, would you fall asleep or allow your mind to wander? I doubt it. How much greater is God! He alone is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory” (Billy Grahm)
Prayer should be something we do everyday, like breathing, eating and walking and talking, it should not become like that little glass covered box on the wall that says, "break in case of emergency." It is true that so very often we associate prayer with crises in our life. Jesus said: “Ask.” “Knock” and the door to God’s gifts and resources will be opened for you. The disciple can trust God’s love. This is why Jesus teaches this prayer. We begin with the word “father”. The father’s role is to protect and care for his family and children. His answers to our prayers will never, never cause us harm. Luke, more than any other evangelist, stresses the importance of prayer in the life of Jesus' and in the life of a disciple.
In response to the disciples who asked: “Lord teach us to pray”; Jesus tells the parable of the friend who calls at midnight. In the culture of the Middle East, (still today) Hospitality is critical.
In the 1st century “hospitality” was of paramount importance in the biblical world, and when a guest arrived – even if unexpectedly…even at midnight. Hospitality is required. This cultural reality enables Jesus to tell a parable about a God of love.
The characters in the story are a villager who is in bed with his family at midnight and a neighbor with a need. When the man in the story finds himself without enough bread for his guest, he goes to a friend and neighbor and asks to borrow some bread. It’s past midnight , yet he must wake up his friend’s entire household to avoid shame and to honor a cultural code.
“Do not bother me,” the friend answers from within the dark house. “The door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything” (11:7). You and I might empathize with the neighbor. The midnight knock at the door is not only worrisome but to wake an infant in the middle of the night… means a long night for the parents.
In the culture of the biblical world, the response of the neighbor to this midnight knock immediately tells the listeners of Jesus, that the neighbor is the one behaving badly. This would be unthinkable to allow your friend and neighbor to be shamed and embarrassed.
Jesus says that the neighbor will eventually respond to his friend’s request, not because he is a friend, but because of his friend’s shamelessness” persistence. “Persistence," at midnight implies a boldness that comes from a long standing friendship. (11:8). The man displays no shame in asking for help from his neighbor to meet the requirements of hospitality. The friend would incur dishonor if he failed to help his neighbor in this essential obligation. Jesus has made a point about the prayers of a disciple. God, our Father, expects us to come to Him with our requests.
A disciple must dare to be shameless in our prayer requests to our heavenly Father. We are to Ask and Knock, because Jesus tells us to do so. We are to trust in God’s loving purpose for us. Not everything that happens in life is God’s will. But we can affirm with St. Paul, “in all things God works for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
As sons and daughters of Adam and Eve there is an inner desire within our
being to walk with God in the cool of the evening. The Creator has placed within each human heart a desire to know Him, to talk with Him, to invite Him into our personal history.
There is a “Peanuts” comic strip where Charlie Brown is kneeling by his bed. His hands are folded. The caption reads: “Security is knowing you are not alone.” There is no special formula or sacred language that should be used in prayer. It is conversation with your creator. You can tell him what’s on your mind. You can trust God. As a human father, you love your children. “If your son asks for an egg, will you give him a scorpion?” Of course not. “If your son asks for a fish will you give him a snake instead? Of course not.”
You can trust your Father in heaven who knows your need. His answer will not bring you harm. Martin Luther stated: “Prayer is not optional” “The 2nd commandment teaches us to call upon God in every need.” It is not a matter to be left to our choice … for by prayer the name of God is honored. Prayer. What Luther Says, Vol. II
We face two dangers whenever we talk about prayer. We can make prayer seem so difficult that only the “super-Christians” can pray effectively while the rest of us just muddle along. Sometimes the stories we tell about saints who spent hours on their knees crying out to God end up discouraging us because we’re busy and tired. The kids are wearing us out, our job is a hassle and life feels like a burden, so even if Luther prayed two hours every morning, that was a long time ago, and he’s been dead for almost 500 years.
You know what I mean.
Think of prayer as a gift from God that enables us to stay connected with the Lord of the universe. If we use the gift of prayer, we will grow deeper in our knowledge of God. Look how the words of Jesus conclude this parable. “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
The next phase “who art in heaven” Is a reminder that our Father is sovereign, majestic omnipotent. Nothing is difficult for him. He is bigger than any problem we could bring o him. “Hallowed be thy Name” is a call to praise His love and greatness Skeptics may argue that answered prayers are only coincidences, but as an English Archbishop once observed: “It’s amazing how many coincidences occur when one begins to pray.” Too Busy Not to Pray” Bill Hybels p.55
To illustrate that God can be trusted to respond to our prayers, Paul Billheimer in his book “Destined for the Throne” writes: “God has decided to operate in this world through the prayers and faith of His people. … the promises of God are waiting. It’s like a safe deposit box. Thus We pray “THY kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven.” The words really mean…Lord may Your rule become reality in my life, my home, my place of work, my country.)
God has a key and you have a key, called prayer and faith. God is the keeper of the box. At the bank you give your key to the teller and she takes her key. Neither key alone will open the safe deposit box, but together both keys open the door making available all the treasures stored in the box.”
Through prayer we hold one of the keys by which decisions are implemented in our environment. Prayer is an invitation to God to enter into and act in my history, my personal story.
Often times, for me, just getting started is the hardest part. So here is a suggestion. Take home the Portals of Prayer and cut out Martin Luther’s morning prayer and tape it to your refrigerator. Then speak it before you open the refrigerator door. It’s a start. It will lead to further conversation with God.
2) Prayer was never meant to be a spiritual barometer indicating how many fancy words, scripture verses and pious terms you can use. God doesn’t care if you can “out-Thy and out-Thee’ the competition, nor does He sit up in Heaven with His score card grading performances and deducting tenths-of-points for poor aptitude or length of routine.
‘Prayer fashion’ in the 1st century became trendy, and prayer quality got left in the ditch. Jesus pulled the magic rug out from under the Pharisees who prayed for show. Jesus said: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father Knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7,8 He is a kind and caring Father.
You don’t need special fancy words… just have a conversation with God.
3) Being a Christian is about a personal relationship with the One
who loves you more deeply than any other. Just pray! There is no pressure;. you’re talking to your Father.
As a parent who loves your child… if your child asks for bread would you give him a snake. Of course not. As a parent who loves your child if your daughter asks for a fish would you give her a scorpion? Of course not. Ask and knock on heaven’s door. Trust your Father in heaven to hear your prayer. He loves you and wants to hear about your fears, your needs. He wants to enter into your personal history…. But you must ask…. That is prayer.
“Give us this day our daily bread” The apostle Paul wrote: In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Daily bread is more than food it is a job, peace all the things we need for a successful life. Luther said this includes, house home work,money, goods spouse, good government, peace, good weather.”
“Forgive us trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. If you do not forgive life will only give you a bitter spirit. “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” James wrote “God can not be tempted by evil nor does He tempt any one.” James 1:13 Therefore “deliver us from the Evil one “ who is the tempter. God does not ever tempt us to do evil things.
At the end our your day there is another prayer you could memorize and sing to yourself. Take our your hymnal. 883 “All Praise to Thee My God, This Night” (read stanza 1,2)
AMEN “YES LET IT BE SO”.
