By Published On: July 2nd, 2024Categories: Leader Blog, Meditation for Preparation0 Comments on Meditation for Preparation – July 7th

OUR FATHER…

READ:  Luke 10:38-11:13

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” 5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Prayer is a commanded, essential gift of the Christian life.  It is not suggested or supplemental.  If you love and follow Jesus, you pray.  Prayer is simply an open line of communication between us and God.  Even though we communicate in all kinds of ways (verbal and non-verbal) with other people, prayer is a special form of communication that is reserved for God alone.  We don’t pray to anyone else.  So, it makes sense that we would need some help in understanding how to pray.
 
I could walk through this passage and share all the things I have learned about prayer, but that’s Carson’s job!  Let me share one thing though, and then ask you to find one thing from this passage that you can meditate on in preparation for Sunday.
 
Jesus teaches us to begin by acknowledging God as “Father.”  What!?!?!?  This is supposed to be special communication with…GOD!  It seems like it should be something more akin to “Your Galactic, Supreme, All-Powerful, Uncontested, Royal Highness!”  How is something as informal and intimate as “Father” appropriate?  It is because that is exactly how God wants us to think of Him AND how He desires us to understand ourselves.  After all, only a son or daughter calls someone else Father.
 
How does Jesus’s teaching on prayer impact you?  Where are you challenged to have a more faithful prayer life?  I would suggest that you ask and seek the Lord for help; Jesus would command that you do.