Identity and Inheritance

A famous preacher visited a Nursing home that had some patients with Alzheimer's in it. He went around and greeted the people who were very glad to see him. He walked up to one lady and asked, "Do you know who I am?" She said, "No, but if you go to the Front Desk, they can tell you."

In today’s passage Jesus is teaching us about how to pray. Now, many times we just rush through these couple of verses as if they do not mean much. Or we only focus on the first part of the passage about not being puffed up when we pray. This is a good and true thought, but, as we will see today there is more to this command of Jesus than just stop doing that! Jesus actually provides the antidote to these kinds of arrogant, babbling, self righteous prayers. He tells us that the key of a healthy prayer life is found in 2 things- identity and inheritance- and we find them both in verse 8.

First, your father in heaven- it is an identity defining statement. When we say yes to Jesus we are no longer enemies of God. Our identity is now formed through our father- God. Galatians puts it this way:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Our names mean something- not only do they provide us with indication of who we are, they also provide a connection for us. When you were born your first and primary identity was related to your mother and father. You were a baby, unable to walk or talk, so the only identity you had was son or daughter of your mom and dad. People knew who you were by relation of your parents. This identity never goes away, it serves as the basis for all of the ways we identify ourselves. We will carry that name for the rest of our lives.

You know, Prater is not a common name in this area, but up in Augusta County, specifically around Riverheads High School- Prater was a well known name. My granddaddy was the first janitor of Riverheads High School, and my Grandmother was a beloved algebra and Latin teacher. In fact, she has a classroom dedicated to her in the high school. At one point, almost every person in our area had my grandmother as a teacher, the moment I introduced myself as Jon Prater someone always said “are you related to Alice?” Furthermore, my mom and dad, my aunts and uncles and cousins, and my sister all went through that school, so whether I liked it or not, I had expectations and connection by who my mom and dad were.

The Gospel also establishes identity. When you say yes to Jesus you get born again according to . From that moment on, in the story of eternity, your identity is rooted in your new father- God almighty. From that moment on all of my other layers of identity become rooted in this one central truth- I am a child of God.

Now, think about this, Aiden and Elijah recieved my name when they were born, and we have 2 more that will take my name hopefully very soon. Now as bearers of my name it should their community something about them, and it should tell them something about themselves.

First, what it should tell their community around them. Hopefully when they recognize the name “Prater” it tells them about the values and morals they are expected to have. Hopefully people will say, Oh they are Prater boys so we know that Jon and Jess are raising them to be honest, hard working, gracious kids. When they bear our name it should indicate what kind of people they are expected to be.

The same can be said about bearing the name of Jesus. Can I just be frank for a moment? We have an uphill battle as Christians on most days. Why? Well, a lot of it is because the world has been full of people who want to bear the name of Christ, but not also reflect the values and morals that this name requires. This has been a burden for the church. We must remember when we tell people that we are Christians it does come with expectations.

Second, verse 8 reminds us of our inheritance. You heavenly father knows what you need. That thing you have been praying for that you need so much- God knows and he has a plan.

Second, verse 8 reminds us of our inheritance. You heavenly father knows what you need. That thing you have been praying for that you need so much- God knows and he has a plan. Not only does their identity tell the world, there is also something for us. As bearers of my name my children have assurance of their relationship with me, and the blessings that come with that . When they get off the bus they do not need to beg me or manipulate me to come into our home. They do not have to coerce me for dinner every night, or for a warm bed. When they became my children I committed to taking care of their needs.

But, there is more than just what it tells the world, there is also something for us. As bearers of my name my children have assurance of their relationship with me, and the blessings that come with that . When they get off the bus th

it tells the world, there is also something for us. As bearers of my name my children have assurance of their relationship with me, and the blessings that come with that . When they get off the bus th

This is also true for God. God adopted you, it was his choice. When we are confident in who we are we do not need to beg God, because we know who he is and we know who we are in terms of His Kingdom.

tells us that we should be confident when we pray:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If we flip to the next chapter of Matthew we will hear Jesus elaborate on this some more. READ .

If we flip to the next chapter of Matthew we will hear Jesus elaborate on this some more. READ

Ok, so how do we build confidence in our prayer lives? The key word is TRUST. If we have no trust, then we will have no confidence. But trust in what? Here’s three things to start with

First- Trust that God is who God says He is. Many times babbling and begging in prayer is rooted in thinking we need to convince God to do good things. Confidence in prayer rests on the goodness of God. If you do not believe that God is 1- Good and 2-Sovereign than you will never have confidence in your prayer life. Let’s think of it this way today. Do you believe that God is perfect? Than that means God cannot make a mistake- no snakes and stone for bread and fish.

We can run around church all day long saying God is good- but that does not good if we do not believe it. So, how do we build it? One of the things that has helped me in the past is to build a resume for God; here’s what I mean. I begin to write down all of the times that I can recall God coming through for me. The times He brought me through turmoil, or provided for my needs, or saved me from a mishap. I then throw in some Scriptures that remind me of the goodness of God, what the Bible says about him.

Trust that redemption is real- Other times babbling and begging in prayer is based on the fact that we lack trust that God is bigger that our current situation. Do you believe in redemption? In other words, that God can take the worst and make it beautiful again? That even if things go off the rails in our lives that it is never too much for God to fix.

Whether its Job, or Paul, or Moses, or Rahab- the Scriptures are full of redemption stories. The reality is our stories are the same. We do not need to feel the need to beg or manipulate God if we remember that God LOVES a redemption story. His nature is built in redemption. Think back to the garden of Eden. Just after God states the effects and punishment for sin he begins the story of redemption by providing clothes and a guard protecting them from the tree of life.

Trust that God’s plan is better than mine- Let’s be honest, many times our begging is because we want what we want on our terms. Prayer, however, is not about bending God’s will to ours. Prayer is bending our will to God’s. The most pure and Christlike prayer we can pray is God have your way and strengthen me to remain faithful.

Do you remember the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal?