Jesus and Prayer - Pastor Justin Miles
Luke 11:1-13
Snapshot from someone in the pew:
"Because I said so, that's why!"
I have no idea how many times my momma said that to me. It usually involved not obeying because in my mind there was not a reason to do something and I was arguing. She would try to reason with me, but eventually her patience wore thin and she pulled that ace from the hole, the bane of every disobedient child -
"Because I said so, that's why!"
Debate concluded.
I've been a Christian for 53 years and prayer is still a mystery to me. Oh, I know the Sunday School answer that prayer is just talking to God. But that is the how, not the why. The mystery to me is: why should the one who dreamed up and created the rings around the planet Saturn want to hear from someone like me? Makes no sense. So why do it? Pastor Justin said in his sermon this morning that prayer is sometimes awkward when you pray in public, and it can be awkward even in private. How can something so simple be so mysterious or awkward? If it is so simple, why did the disciples have to ask Jesus how to do it?
The answer is found in how Jesus started out his model prayer: "Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name". Was Jesus just adding an awesome sounding introduction to the model prayer? Not a chance. He was reminding us that God is our Father, He is in heaven and He is holy. If that is so, maybe I need to quit trying to understand why God wants to hear from me and just obey. After all, if Jesus took the time to teach how to pray and we still read it in the Bible 2000 years later, it is pretty close to him saying,
"Because I said so, that's why!"
Debate concluded.
Bullet point summary:
Previously - Jesus called his disciples and sent them out
Jesus loves us and calls us to love others
Today's Sermon - a model and illustration of prayer
Jesus was known for praying and so should we be
v. 1 - It was common for Jesus to leave the others and pray
The disciples asked him to teach them
v. 2 - Jesus calls on his Father (just as we can as believers)
He recognizes God as holy (as we should)
You hallow God's name when you trust, revere, obey and glorify Him - John Piper
Look at the Ten Commandments:
Love God with heart, soul and mind
No carved images of God
Do not use God's name in vain
He asks God to bring his kingdom (Matthew 6:10 has additional words)
v. 3 - God will provide what we need daily
v. 4 - There is an initial forgiveness when we receive salvation but there is also continual forgiveness that we need daily. That forgiveness enables us to forgive others.
v. 5-8 - God responds willingly to our bold and persistent requests for our friends.
v. 9-10 - Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened
- not a promise of prosperity
v. 11-13 - Even human fathers give what our children ask for if possible; God the Father wants to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!