Use a Christian Prelude for Effective Prayer
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Now switching from why and who of prayer - place of prayer in our Spirit-filled life, being renewed in image of Christ - thinking not of the “prayer without ceasing” but spontaneous prayer and prayers of set times involved in our communication and trust and reliance on God! Remarkable to think about
The order:
Just like Eph ends with prayer, just like ten commandments… So too in the Sermon on the Mount, constitution of the Kingdom of God, how once we are saved, poor in Spirit - called from the Mountain to live in the New Covenant with God’s law written in our hearts. It is remarkable in terms of the order that write smack dab in the middle 237 lines of it - we have the Lord’s Prayer at the centre of his constitution. And with beautiful symmetry we have 3 Thy statements, beginning with God and then 3 Our/us statements dealing with all our needs. The order tells us that when it comes to prayer we are to begin first with God, and then to our need. But even before we get to the petition part of prayer, the fact that we have a prelude before asking anything, tell us not only should we begin with God in our petitions, but our specific, prayer (not our ceaseless on-going prayer of living in God’s presence like Brother Lawerence describes), is not to be a pattern of merely asking. As if prayer is some cosmic vending machine - bow head, folding hands, or just think it up to heaven, is putting a coin in - that spits out a supply for our need. Prayer is more than that! Now for sure, ongoing prayer, even spontaneous prayer - call out - ours to call , God’s answer - simple and pure - HELP! BUT IN TERMS OF OUR SPECIFIC PRAYER, SET TIME, LIKE JOHN TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES LIKE EVERY RABBI - a pattern . The fact is we are to have prelude - not just filler, or get into the mood, but this is what face to face communication has that; email or texting, or even phone call doesn’t. In face to face, personal communication there is an attending that goes on; look at that face, attend to that person, haven’t seen them in while - Recognition of a person in my life before me, not an object for me to use, but a person for me to relate too.
Prelude means an introductory action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter. The more important thing is going to be the communication and prayer with this person, but the attending to the person is necessary to prepare you for the preparation. Think of how that works with first impressions: never forget Mr. Hoekstra - rent - job interview check the person’s car - mess… tidy.. Status symbol. How a person dresses - how much importance to interview, none, sloppy, ; superficial. But in speaking with someone we do attend to their state: ie. What’s wrong faint, blanched, or agitated. We are to come to God in prayer with a prelude, an attending to who He is and who we are to Him, before the interaction of our requests.
What D.W. teaches in Collect: Address to God - many beautiful biblical ones, who God is to us, this situation and that How the Jews prayer, Blessed are you Lord God King of the Universe for you have provided bread for the World. Well, this form Jesus teaches, is not so much word for word formula to repeat as model, and what is it that Jesus says should be our Christian prelude in coming in true prayer that is promised to be heard? Comes in three key words Father, our, in heaven!
A. The God Whom We INVOKE is Father to Us in Two Wonderful Ways
A. The God to Whom We INVOKE is Father to us into Two Wonderful Ways
This prelude that we should have in our prayers is most simply a description of the God to whom we pray. Of course any number of titles, attributes, remembrances of action used to describe God, but in effective Christian prayer, Jesus is teaching us that humans are to hold up the perfections of God that are necessary to hold on to for faith-filled invocation. Do you know what an invocation is? Why I recite Psalm Our help is in the NAME of the LORD… and then pronounce greeting in name of our Triune God.
To invoke means to call on in a special way. It’s a formal ground of appeal. IE Toronto municipal elections, Premier Doug Ford, said we’ll invoke the Not-withstanding clause. Calling by name a new procedure allowed in the Constitution. Or think of Paul invoking - appealing to Caesar , whole new procedure not just local hearing of religious or even regional government but highest authority - going to stand before for, and really have the ear of the Emperor … Or imagine you have to testify in court - some things that would be revealed that other people have no business knowing and would hurt you or your business - Right to invoke the 5th Amendment - not incriminate yourself - big relief new relationship to court and not lying or wrongfully withholding!
Well, Jesus teaches us how to invoke the living God! And the first word in Greek is Father. At first a wonderful but general way that all of us can relate to God, same way he is father of light, of justice, source of all fatherhood, father of creation. In one sense, we are all children of God, His offspring, bear His image so even when fallen in sin, sons and daughter of God. This is of some comfort to knowing in praying God - all the benefit of creation and providence is ours. We can look to him a Father providing for us.
But Jesus also taught anyone who sin is slave to sin, under dominion slavery of sin, Belong to not Father of light but have indeed become children of darkness! Why those outside of Christ praying to God as Supreme, or naming other attributes seem more fitting, than Father, because don’t feel truly His children!
But though other religions recognize that relationship, none pray to Him as that personal Father. And it was Jesus Christ who alone could live as a human being, without sin, relating to God the way Adam and Eve would have calling God Father. But something more remarkable is given to us in being able to God Father in prayer when we realize it is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who is saying when you believer pray say: FATHER. Why does in mean so much more - than if Mohammad or Buddha or Some great spiritual leader told us pray “father” . NO mere human means the same thing by Father as what Jesus God’s only begotten Son means by Father. It is remarkable how Jesus came speaking of God as Father. And not only Father, but he called God Daddy. Now is not that time to expand to much on the Son of God’s absolutely unique relationship to God the Father with any detail, but in broad brush strokes, hear Jesus own words: ...
And when Jesus and jesus alone teaches us to pray to God by saying Father , you must understand and believe that Jesus is bestowing on us a bit of that priceless relationship and fellowship that He has with God, to us. This is what our catechism means that we are to pray with:
the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. QA 120
We don’t just rush into God’s great presence that would over awe us - rashly or negligent of to whom we are going - This invocation is a way of gathering our selves, taking stock of the disposition of heart and our relation to God - It is stirring the hope that we are related to this God whom we call on. We are adopted by Him and invited to come as children with our every need! The same way Christ communes and receive from His Father - we in Christ do now in prayer. This prelude to prayer is only for the Christian who shares this adoption with Christ. Listen to John Chrysostom:
For he who calls God Father, by him both remission of sins, and taking away for punishment, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, and adoption, and inheritance, and brotherhood with the Only-Begotten, and the supply of the Spirit, are acknowledged in this single title” John Chrysostom
“For he who calls God Father, by him both remission of sins, and taking away for punishment, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, and adoption, and inheritance, and brotherhood with the Only-Begotten, and the supply of the Spirit, are acknowledged in this single title” (John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Nicene and Post-Nicene
Calling him Father makes us so mindful that, in Christ not only is that we have a claim on and acess to the Father, but also that sharing in the family treasures Christ shares, we are praying in the Holy Spirit!
Now in concentrated prayer - this title reminds us that we are to let go of not only wicked thoughts and desires as we centre our hearts on our Father, but even legitimate earthly thoughts and desires are to be set aside to lift our souls - thoughts and affection together up to God Himself!
Do you know the moment when - Parent has an infant - and young baby struggle to focus, maybe playing peek a boo - and the moment comes when face is recognized comes into focus - that is what is to happen with you and God through the invocation, the description the calling on God and registering with him, appealing to Him in Christ by Spirit - all entailed in truly calling Him Father and in faith looking to him as Father every bit as much as Jesus can!
It is impossible to invoke this Father of our Lord Jesus Christ if we don’t believe in him,
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
But believing on the God and Father of Christ, through Christ and with Spirit, we are to call so consciously that He is our Father because of Christ our Lord!
So there it is the first word of our invocation and it calls us to frame our hearts to truly be seeking our Father and His love and provision and if that trust (not words) is not how our prayer begins it will be cursed:
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
Not only that, but that persons prayer will be like a dired up shrub, tumble weed. How does James put it:
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
But if our heart is stayed on God as Father through Christ look at the promise:
He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
Ie. Bulbs in glass jar - see roots reaching out! Prayer put out deep roots and draw real blessing as we live and pray in that parent-chld relation through Christ with the living God!
But it is one thing to believe the tehological truth in general, thrat through Christ access is available to God as our Father, but it is another to personally rely on that access and that is the second word. Not only involke God as Father, But
But B. as OUR FATHER:
B. We must Invoke God as OUR Father
I can illustrate this to you in no more personal and powerful way than in sharing what our son Reuben tell me - I have an earthly Father - but big deal is that have a batter and more real Father in God! Not a title of just great magnificence and glory but the God of the universe is our God. Isn’t that the mother of all promises in the Bible, the heart of the covenant of grace - made to Abraham and his seed but fulfilled in Christ.
I will be your God and you will be my people! When we say OUR Father. We are saying I am resting on Christ - that I am accepted by God in Christ, not a spot of sin imputed to me so God is actually pleased with me. I in Christ, am His darling Child.
Covenant Promise: I will be your God and you will be my people! When we say OUR Father. We are saying I am resting on Christ - that I am accepted by God in Christ, not a spot of sin imputed to me so God is actually pleased with me. I in Christ, am His darling Child.
Covenant Promise: I will be your God and you will be my people!
When we say OUR Father. We are saying I am resting on Christ - that I am accepted by God in Christ, not a spot of sin imputed to me so God is actually pleased with me. I in Christ, am His darling Child.
I think, in growing up - all of us long to be the beloved child - moments maybe rare or maybe didn’t come from one parent or the other - but sheer delight of parent at what a child does or just is - When you bow your head in Christ ans say Our Father you are resting not only that you have become pleasing to God - but listen, though are prayers are weak and flawed, and stumbling; listen, with Christ as our mediator now - our pray now and all our future prayers are pleasing and purified in Christ!
Do you remember ever asking a boss or a parent or a coach for something - don’t know if will be granted? And did that wise parent, ever say, “I was hoping you would ask me that. Big smile. Of course you want thigs and I aso glad and I’ve got it all prepared and here it is! Isn't that Jesus teaching in parable in
that accompanies the Lord's Prayer:
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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!”
If you dare pray OUR Father, it means you are seeking all good things from God believing like the most gernerous attentive Father he loves to give you good gifts and he loves to have you ask for them! And even if in a time of doubting that, for yourself, this is Christ’ instruction to come praying at desiring Him to be such to you!
But there is another added comfort and challenge to praying OUR Father. Have you ever wondered why Jesus doesn’t teach us to MY Father? What is the reason for that? Of course not wrong to do that - and is in fact a great demonstration of our sonship in Christ. It is in fact how Christ prayed at time. It is what Thomas prayed at the feet of Jesus in the resurrection, taking hold of him, My Lord and My God. But that ought never to be the only way, exclusive way we pray. And that is a great humility and comfort that is in our prayer. None of us belong to ourselves, individualism isn’t the root of this life, nor the fruit. Created for community, saved in community heading for community. And Jesus teaches us that prayer is not just the individual Christian breath but is something we do together with all God’s saints as we saw in
that constant incense last week - pciture of comunion all live and pray in … all lifted up
Think of that beautiful picture in our hymn - the day you gave us Lord Has ended… We thank you that your church, unsleeping, while earth rolls onwards into light… through the world her watch is keeping… and never rest by day or night. As over continent and island each dawn leads to another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor do the praises die away! prayer around the world. Think of the beautiful picture of Moravian Brethren one hundred years of unbroken prayer… 100 year prayer meeting, around clock, more missionaries sent then ever!
the voice of prayer is never silent, nor do the praises die away!
prayer around the world. Think of the beautiful picture of Moravian Brethern one hundred years of unbroken prayer… 100 year prayer meeting, around clock, more missionaries sent then ever!
Do you understoand that when you pray you never do that alone. I try to remember that in a real way when I sing and pray the Psalms - that all of them sung to Jesus but also with Jesus. Well, so to when you pray as a Christian, reminded that we are invoking God as members of the mystical body of Christ, the church prays with us. There is a perpetual communication of the church’s prayer to God for all good things in the church’s life and need and suffering - communion of saints.
There is also a gentle reminder in this that echoes through out the prayer, our daily bread, not just mine. Our debts not just my sins. Our temptations. And that instruction at the end of our prayers, wow. Have you ever wondered why jesus tacked on this instruction to the model for prayer - seems so forceful:
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
Let it be a reminder that we are not to come to prayer as isolated individuals - but as a community reconciled, forgiving each other, one with the Lord, with others, and praying for others too! If you are going to pray to OUR Father, can’t rush head long into your prayers when your heart is burning with hatred or a desire for revenge or nursing a bitterness. Just like before coming to the Table of the LORD we are reminded to deal with conflicts as much as it is up to us; so too in prayer. Not saying should not pray when perturbed at others like that, but we should deal with it and compose ourselves to pray in forgiveness and love.
But the last part of the prelude Christ teaches to our praying is the ground for our expectation and hope no matter what in prayer! This is what makes true Christian prayer different than mere wishful thinking, or throwing up requests and wondering if they get past the ceiling. And again this is all about who is on the other end of the phone, who are we face to face with in Christ. To whom am I appealing and invoking the presence of?
C. We Pray with CONFIDENCE to Our Father WHO IS IN HEAVEN.
There is great comfort that He is Father, and he is our Father in Christ. But Listen you don’t only need comfort to begin prayer. Prayer is not just about access, or thinking we get cozy and chummy with God. Even as Christian’s we can treat God and pray to Him as if distant or limited. We throw up the prayer and we have done our part, and then maybe God can do something, and maybe not. NO! This is prayer to a God who is not only Father, but who is the Father in Heaven. Listen to
The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
We are to recall the God with whom we are dealing is the God who, not only created everything, but also upholds as with His hand. So that nothing happens without His will. He is the one holds the heart of the king, who doesn’t let a hair fall from my head, whose eye is on the sparrow and on me. Listen to
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Oh where is your God to whom you pray. Of course, everywhere. But Biblically, speaking do you know where the glory and presence and power and splendor of God is most manifest in our universe. Not on earth, created that for man to reflect His glory
to work a praise and blessing of God!
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
though when saving power of Jesus, when worship, when invoked in prayer, when Holy Spirit not just with people but in people. Wonderful But there is the first physical heaven, then second heavens divine assembly - but look higher the third heavens. You heard Paul say it: real place - even Christ is now with the spirit of righteous men made perfect, where Christ is with His physical body - full glory of God. And we are ushered into His presence there through prayer, knowing He sees and knows all, and Has all power to accomplish His will through our prayers:
Or Father in heaven also means that though He is our Father He is also is the FATHER ALMIGHTY - ADONAI, Infinite in His power and righteousness and totally able - our prelude is to have this weighty Majesty and Super Ability and Super Resource. Our faith is is in Him, Almighty God! Too wise to err, too loving to allow any needless pain!
Never forget after a friend of mine, miscarriage speak at Banner of Truth conference. But we had just gotten through most intense year of our lives with Reuben;’s birth and his heart problems! His text was
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Couldn’t go - but did get away with Marianne to Miller Lake with just our Reuben. In middle of rainy cold storm, took Kayak out listen to that whole sermon. We are to pray believing and invoking God who can do way more wonderful things than even dare to ask. But he also said, you know sometimes the things you wouldn't’ think or imagine that come in our life a hard hard hard things. And the truth is just as true then, that you wouldn’t imagine that God has grace and will use those times and heal those time beyond how you could ever imagine.
Well, I say to you, when you bow your head and invoke God - do so in full faith of Our Father in Heaven who has not only infinite goodness to visit you with the answer in prayer you need, but he has the almighty Sovereign power of heaven to bring it about in His good time and in his good way!
And what a model we have of how Abrhaam prayed even in his hard times, frowning porvidences with full assurance in a Father who not only God but is Almighty:
fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Do you see that is picture of prayer that Jesus not only taught but also lived:
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Last week I shared that illustration of Peter Paul and Mary, Paul moved from big city, to country bought a hen house - became his studio One morning watching the sunrise remember what he said: some people miss things because life goes by to fast, but the other is if we go by too fast! That night I took the time, after reading until midnight, I took the time - in -23 weather to look up at that moon, total lunar eclipse, the wave length of earth atmosphere as covered the moon - made the moon entirely red - attended to presence of the moon, like underneath but rarely pay attention to its cycles. How moderns live. But Jesus is saying when we pray, can’t just assume Oh God is up there, throw my prayer to him and haven't a clue where he is what He is like How I stand in relation to Him. Know just like that moon registered in my eye mind, even my affection. So, to before I start communicating and listening to God, attend to Who He is with a Heart Full of Belief - who is to me, who He is to us, what He is able to do -
A prelude to your asking in prayer and even your thanking is lift our minds to contemplate the majesty and power of God in whose presence we are!
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.