190724 - Sermon

Sermon About Prayer

Today’s Texts … Luke’s version of the Lord’s prayer

Account of Abraham praying to God .. on behalf of Sodom...

Talking God down from 50…to 45…to 40… to 30… to 20…to 10

One of my favorite prayers… the idea of bargaining with God

Grace peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. amen

We reflect today on the topic of prayer.

In the gospel,

we have Luke's version of the Lords Prayer

followed by two lessons taught by Jesus

to his disciples about prayer.

In the old Testament

we have this wonderful account

of Abraham praying to God

on behalf of the towns of Sodom and Gemorah.

It’s one of my favorite accounts of prayer

because we have Abraham appearing to talk God down

from saving them for the sake of 50 and then 45 and then 40 and then 30 and then 20 and then 10.

I don't know if there is much in the way of a spiritual lesson

on prayer in that story

- though I’m sure that many a preacher

has made use of this backwards auction of Abraham

- but the idea of bargaining with God is fun to think about.

IF there is any lesson from this account about Abraham,

....I think is more about our experience of prayer

than it is how we can change who God is

or what God intends to do.

In other words,

it might have felt to Abraham

that he was making headway against

what he thought was God’s desire

to punish the city …

by bargaining with God …

but I think God’s nature

is such that God would have started with 10 or even less.

The Blessing of Communal Prayer

As we turn to the Gospel lesson

and think about the Lord's prayer,

he objected to the artificial sense about themwe can turn our brains off during wrote prayer

Helpful - when we don’t know what else to pray...

I'm reminded of an argument I had

Helpful - when we want to pray something together....

Helpful -

long ago

Pray Frequently (?)

with the same guy who I went fishing with

As i turn to the Gospel lesson and think about the Lord's prayer, I'm reminded of an argument I had long ago with the same guy who I went fishing with in North Dakota a couple weeks ago back. Ye when we were friends in an earlier time we would have an argument about wrote wow about formula prayers and whether or not they were a good good thing he at the time I think objected to the artificial sense that one gets when someone reads a wrote prayer. And for him, prayer involved genuine and spontaneous expression. He objected that you can turn your brain off while you’re saying wrote prayers. And say them without thinking

in North Dakota a couple weeks ago back.

Years ago he and I had an argument

about formula prayers…like the Lord’s Prayer...

and whether or not they were a good good thing.

At the time he objected to them

and said they seemed artificial.

For him, prayer required genuine

and spontaneous expression.

He objected that - you can turn your brain off

while you’re saying wrote prayers.

You can say them without thinking

In contrast to this,

thoughout my ministry

I have found the Lords Prayer very helpful--

and the Lord’s Prayer isn’t the only prayer like this.

There are other wrote prayers too:

Now I lay me down to sleep, and

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest...

prayers - within the funeral liturgy

all of them

can be helpful when we don't know what else to pray.

When we struggle to find the words.

They're also helpful

when we're in occasions

where we want to pray a prayer together.

I will often say a prayer in a hospital room.

And begin the prayer alone,

but then we will all join together at the end.

The Lord's prayer serves

to bring a sense of unity and togetherness.

over the many years in ministry that I have had to bring us together and also wrote prayers am I didn't think about this much until I served in hey we called the Alzheimer's unit it had a more sophisticated name but it's for people who were suffering mental impairments and when I lead worship there I can't say that I got much of a glimmer of recognition of what I i was doing or what I was saying as I was saying it among the people who were there but the moment we turn to the Lord's prayer and said our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name they were all very present with me in that moment and able to join you in prayer to God so I think the Lord's prayer is an immensely immensely helpful thing God inspired thing which is why we do it at every where ship service here there is a danger in communal prayer we canon fact turn off our brains during a road prayer and it is a good exercise when you realize that has happened to return to meditate on the words of the lords prayer as you see them there's another misunderstanding that can come from Ridge Road to prayers that I experienced growing up and that is misunderstandings that you might have about the prayer but just sort of get beaten by that I mean in the year that I was in junior high pastors kid I prayed the prayer of the Lord's prayer hundreds and hundreds of times before I knew it well but then the Lutheran Church introduced a second option in the prayer it's an option that remains with us today although we use the older version of the prayer I may pull the new one out sometime just because of what I'm gonna say next all the while I have been praying forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass I kept thinking about Mrs. Delfs yard that I used to cut the corner about 2 1/2 feet into her yard as I turn the corner to walk toward school and when I prayed that prayer all I really thought about was forgive the time when I cut that corner that foot and a half corner when we changed and use the new version of the prayer forgive us rcn oh my goodness I had opened up a whole Pandora's box of things that I was praying about to head to think about ways in which that I i had to sin and ways in which I needed to forgive others for sending against and example of a misunderstanding getting baked into a prayer and dad Can be unhelpful for us in our prayer life in today's gospel I think there are essentially three lessons that I take away their arm I can't read this text is so rich I could we good walk through it were literally word by word but I'd like to lift up three words that should describe our prayer life that come from this text

there is a danger in communal prayer we canon fact turn off our brains during a road prayer and it is a good exercise when you realize that has happened to return to meditate on the words of the lords prayer as you see them there's another misunderstanding that can come from Ridge Road to prayers that I experienced growing up and that is misunderstandings that you might have about the prayer but just sort of get beaten by that I mean in the year that I was in junior high pastors kid I prayed the prayer of the Lord's prayer hundreds and hundreds of times before I knew it well but then the Lutheran Church introduced a second option in the prayer it's an option that remains with us today although we use the older version of the prayer I may pull the new one out sometime just because of what I'm gonna say next all the while I have been praying forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass I kept thinking about Mrs. Delfs yard that I used to cut the corner about 2 1/2 feet into her yard as I turn the corner to walk toward school and when I prayed that prayer all I really thought about was forgive the time when I cut that corner that foot and a half corner when we changed and use the new version of the prayer forgive us rcn oh my goodness I had opened up a whole Pandora's box of things that I was praying about to head to think about ways in which that I i had to sin and ways in which I needed to forgive others for sending against and example of a misunderstanding getting baked into a prayer and dad Can be unhelpful for us in our prayer life in today's gospel I think there are essentially three lessons that I take away their arm I can't read this text is so rich I could we good walk through it were literally word by word but I'd like to lift up three words that should describe our prayer life that come from this text

And in earlier years, I served in an Alzheimer's unit —

I can't say that I got much

of a glimmer of recognition

of what I saying ....as I was speaking to the people

who were there.

But the moment we turn to the Lord's prayer

and said, “Our father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.”

They were all very present with me

in that moment.

Able to join with me in prayer to God.

it was then that I got a huge appreciation

for the deep wisdom of the church

in using this prayer

So I think the Lord's prayer is an immensely immensely helpful

-- God inspired — part of our life together.

Which is why we do it at every worship service here.

The Danger of Communal Prayer

Now, there is a danger in communal prayer.

We can in fact

turn off our brains during a wrote prayer.

And it is a good practice,

when you realize that has happened,

to meditate on the words of the Lords Prayer

- carefully - as you say them.

misunderstandings can get “baked in”

There's another danger

that can come from wrote prayers

that I experienced growing up.

And that is misunderstandings

you might have about the prayer

can just sort of get baked in.

While I was in junior high

- now keep in mind, I was a pastor’s kid … I went to church every week, I had prayed the Lord's prayer hundreds and hundreds of times. In 1977, the Lutheran Church—along with many other protestant denominations --introduced a second option in the prayer.

story of me in confirmation … Lord’s prayer - forgive us our sins....

It's an option that remains with us today,

although we use the older version of the prayer.

(I may pull the new one out sometime

just because of what I'm gonna say next).

All the while I have been praying,

Forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass

....I kept thinking about Mrs. Delfs yard

...that I used to cut the corner about 2 1/2 feet into her yard

as I turned the corner

to walk toward school.

And when I prayed that prayer

all I really thought about was:

God, forgive the times when I cut that corner

— that foot and a half corner.

Furthermore

- the phrase as we forgive those

who trespass against us

was completely lost on me,

because I didn’t own any land…

so I had no one that I needed to forgive.

When we changed

and used the new version of the prayer:

forgive us our sins....oh, my goodness.

That opened up a whole Pandora's box

of things to consider

that I was praying about

and had to think about.

Ways in which I had sinned...

and ways in which I needed to forgive others

for sinning against me.

That’s an example

of a misunderstanding getting baked into

a prayer

and that can be unhelpful for us in our prayer life.

In today's gospel,

this text is so rich

we could walk through it

literally word by word

and glean much for our spiritual life.

I'd just like to lift up three themes

that should describe our prayer life

that come from this text

Three Themes on Prayer: Confidently, Simply, Persistently

Those themes are that we are to pray Confidently.

that we aught to pray Simply,

and we aught to pray Persistently

Pray Confidently

First, we should pray confidently.

Access

We pray knowing

that in our relationship with Jesus Christ

...our prayer is answered.

As Jesus taught and lived out his life,

he expressed a familiarity with God

that infuriated his critics.

He not only saw God as his father...

he beckoned that his disciples

would claim that same sense of closeness for themself

. Note that in this prayer...

God as parent....

our father - or more correctly...

our daddy … who is in heaven...

goes before the concept …

of God as king ....

your kingdom come

That first sentence expresses:

Totally disheartened, the soldier sat down on a park bench nearby. A little boy approached him and said, “You look unhappy, soldier. What’s wrong?”

Knowing that our relationship with Jesus will see that our prayer is answered

After the soldier shared his story, the little boy took him by the hand. He led him through the back door of the White House, past the guards, and into the president’s office itself. President Lincoln looked up and asked, “What can I do for you, Tad?”

Tad said, “Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you”—and the soldier was not turned away.

God as a loving parent,

Pray Confidently - that you have a loving father

When Jesus completed the work of salvation, He opened up the way so that we could have access to God. Those who have placed their trust in Christ may come directly to the Heavenly Father with their petitions. And the Son sits on the Father’s right hand and says, “Daddy, this is someone who needs to talk to You.” He is the only intercessor we need. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Pray Relationally

Jesus’ familiarity with God had infuriated his critics

who gives and who nurtures

he not only saw God as his father - he disciples to claim the same closeness

and sustains life

God as parent - goes before God as King (with a Kingdom)

So we can pray confidently to this God

God is a loving parent who gives, nurtures and sustains life

Disciples - reminded that God cares for personal needs

who is our heavenly parent.

Some think about God as being far off and aloof

The disciples throughout this prayer

are reminded that God does indeed care

for our personal needs.

There is a closeness ....and that closeness can bring confidencd

There are some who think of God

as being far off and aloof and distant...

in this prayer there is a closeness...

that can bring with it

confidence that whatever barriers

might exist between us and God

- will be broken down

by the relationship with have with the son....

During the Civil War, there was a young Union soldier who had lost his father and older brother in the war. He went to Washington, D.C., to see if he could get an exemption from military service so that he could go back home and help his mother and sister with the spring planting. When he approached the White House and asked to see the president, he was turned away.

Totally disheartened, the soldier sat down on a park bench nearby. A little boy approached him and said, “You look unhappy, soldier. What’s wrong?”

After the soldier shared his story, the little boy took him by the hand. He led him through the back door of the White House, past the guards, and into the president’s office itself. President Lincoln looked up and asked, “What can I do for you, Tad?”

Tad said, “Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you”—and the soldier was not turned away.

When Jesus completed the work of salvation, He opened up the way so that we could have access to God. Those who have placed their trust in Christ may come directly to the Heavenly Father with their petitions. And the Son sits on the Father’s right hand and says, “Daddy, this is someone who needs to talk to You.”

We can pray in the confidence that Jesus is here with us...

Jesus closes his lesson on prayer today

Jesus’ familiarity with God had infuriated his critics

he not only saw God as his father - he disciples to claim the same closeness

God as parent - goes before God as King (with a Kingdom)

- by saying Would a loving parent

God is a loving parent who gives, nurtures and sustains life

give their child something bad?

Disciples - reminded that God cares for personal needs

How much more confident

Some think about God as being far off and aloof

can we be

There is a closeness ....and that closeness can bring confidencd

that the Lord will provide us good things.

Pray Simply

Bible teacher: Note the simple - stacatto requests...

Not a long, drawn out, flowery prayer

This week… we’ve been experiencing Bible Camp here at church ...

Reminds me of some at camp who could pray long, eloquent prayers....flowery

In another place, jesus condemns the religious leaders for putting on a show with their prayers..

Nothing showy about the Lord’s prayer … simple, direct, to the point

In addition to praying confidently,

we aught to pray simply.

One of the things that I noticed

in my meditations on the Lords prayer

for the sermon

— is how each of the petitions of the Lords Prayer

form simple staccato requests.

Hallowed be your your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

give us bread today,

forgive our sins.

These are not long, flowery,

drawn out prayers.

This is a simple prayer.

Prayed with simple words.

We've been Experiencing

These are not long, flowery, drawn out prayers. This is a simple prayer. Prayed with simple words I was remarkable and we've been Experiencing a little taste of Bible camp here at church with serve camp and I remember at one point early in my Christian walk being enamored with people who could pray long in flowery and eloquent prayers I thought I'd never be able to do that and yet I don't think that's what Jesus wants in fact Jesus in other places condemns religious leaders for putting on a show with their prayers we are to Peder in our prayers after this Lords prayer that is simple direct into the point

a little taste of Bible camp here at church

with serve camp. happening this past week

And I remember

at one point early in my Christian walk,

while at bible camp....

being enamored with people

who could pray long flowery

and eloquent prayers.

I thought I'd never be able to do that…

but i wanted to.... and

yet I don't think that's what Jesus wants for us.

In fact Jesus in other places

condemns religious leaders

for putting on a show with their prayers.

we aught to pattern our prayers

after this Lords prayer...

that is simple direct into the point

And maybe even - just short staccato prayers…

prayed to ourselves…

in the style of Lord’s prayer throughout the day...

I’ve been told that...

Eight-ninths of the bulk of an iceberg is below the waterline and out of sight. Only one-ninth is visible above the surface. Our prayer life should be like an iceberg, with about one-ninth showing in public prayer and eight-ninths out of sight in our personal prayer time

Pray Persistently

In addition to praying confidently, and simply...

Jesus calls on us to pray persistently.

That’s the point of the story after the Lord’s prayer

- when he tells of the neighbor

who goes out in the middle of the night

and persistently asks, and knocks,

and pounds at the door.

He sticks with it … he persists....

until his request is granted....

I came across a story this past week

- that speaks to persistence in communication....

tere was a pilot who died at the controls of his small plane while on the way to Statesboro, Georgia, from the Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport in North Carolina, his wife, Janice, kept the plane aloft for two hours. As the plane crossed the South Carolina/North Carolina border, she radioed for help: “Help, help, won’t someone help me? My pilot is unconscious.” Authorities who picked up her distress signal were not able to reach her by radio during the flight because she kept changing channels. Eventually Janice made a rough landing and had to crawl for forty-five minutes to a farmhouse for help.

When Edmund Gravely died at the controls of his small plane while on the way to Statesboro, Georgia, from the Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport in North Carolina, his wife, Janice, kept the plane aloft for two hours. As the plane crossed the South Carolina/North Carolina border, she radioed for help: “Help, help, won’t someone help me? My pilot is unconscious.” Authorities who picked up her distress signal were not able to reach her by radio during the flight because she kept changing channels. Eventually Mrs. Gravely made a rough landing and had to crawl for forty-five minutes to a farmhouse for help.

How often God’s people cry out to him for help but switch channels before his message comes through! They turn to other sources for help, looking for human guidance. When you cry out to God for his intervention, don’t switch channels!

Note the friend in the gospel story

doesn’t go from house to house…

point of the part of the story - persistantly knocking on God’s door..

he knows that his friend and neighbor

can supply what it is that he needs

- and so he persists....

and in persisting - he receives what he seeks.

Year’s ago I read a passage in a book

that has stuck with me ever since:

Press On

Press On

Nothing in the world

Can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not;

Nothing is more common

Than unsuccessful people

With talent.

Eight-ninths of the bulk of an iceberg is below the waterline and out of sight. Only one-ninth is visible above the surface. Our prayer life should be like an iceberg, with about one-ninth showing in public group prayer and eight-ninths out of sight in our personal prayer time

Genius will not:

Unrewarded genius

Is almost a proverb.

Education will not;

The world is full of

Educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination

Alone are important

Anonymous

Knowing that our relationship with Jesus will see that our prayer is answered

Some think about God as being far off and aloof

There is a closeness ....

Access

During the Civil War, there was a young Union soldier who had lost his father and older brother in the war. He went to Washington, D.C., to see if he could get an exemption from military service so that he could go back home and help his mother and sister with the spring planting. When he approached the White House and asked to see the president, he was turned away.

Totally disheartened, the soldier sat down on a park bench nearby. A little boy approached him and said, “You look unhappy, soldier. What’s wrong?”

After the soldier shared his story, the little boy took him by the hand. He led him through the back door of the White House, past the guards, and into the president’s office itself. President Lincoln looked up and asked, “What can I do for you, Tad?”

Tad said, “Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you”—and the soldier was not turned away.

When Jesus completed the work of salvation, He opened up the way so that we could have access to God. Those who have placed their trust in Christ may come directly to the Heavenly Father with their petitions. And the Son sits on the Father’s right hand and says, “Daddy, this is someone who needs to talk to You.” He is the only intercessor we need. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Jesus seems to be saying...

Now I don’t think the persistance is for the sake of God....

Persistance is for us - for us to keep at it… to always be in an attitude of seeking God out...

that this carrys over to our prayer life too

we are encouraged

to persist in prayer with God...

though we may at times doubt

whether our prayers will be answered

we can trust that God will.

May you pray... Confidently, Simply, Persistantly … but above all - may you pray