November 7, 2012
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:5-8
OBSERVATIONS
1. Jesus also challenges public praying for attention, and calls us to go into a private place. Not sure what He meant by a closet… my closet would not be big enough… though some peoples walk in closets are bigger than my bed room… but I assume He meant a private, quiet place. As one who does pray publicly, in a church service, I am aware of how often I find myself speaking to the people listening rather than to God. To say things right, to say things well, to say things in a helpful way. Maybe we should just do a long silent prayer in church!
2. Ever heard run on prayers? Sometimes I feel like prayer experiences I am in are more like babbling. We tell things to God He already knows, we explain in detail as if we’re making announcements. Contrast this to Jesus’ simple prayer (next passage), short simple sentences. This line always makes me think of a solid piece of advice from the writer of Ecclesiastes: The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? (Ecclesiastes 6:11). Solid advice for a preacher too…
3. Jesus is not discouraging us from sharing our heart, but I do think He is urging us to keep it simple. He encourages us to know that God already knows, that God already cares. Sometimes speaking our needs out loud is therapeutic, just good to lay it out before God. But silence is also therapeutic, just resting in God’s loving presence. I think of how David lays his requests before God, then waits (Psalm 5:3). I do not need to convince God of my need, nor do I need to explain it to Him. Sometimes my ‘babbling’ is more an expression of anxiety than trust. Just say it and leave it, and rest in His care.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
1. I hear the Lord inviting me to spend some time in quiet, restful prayer today. Sit down, get comfortable, breathe deep, then name the challenge, then wait in Him. Refuse to go over it again and again in my mind. Give it some time, and wait and see what God does. He may solve the issue, or He may calm my heart and put me in a better place to deal with it.
2. I am feeling challenged to shorten my sentences in my public prayer. No excessive adjectives or run on sentences, just simple sentences like the Lord’s Prayer. This is something I will try to do this coming Sunday too.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Praying
I notice that this passage does not say “if” you pray but rather “when” you pray. So I need to get the idea that this is a nice option in my life out of the way. It is now a matter of how and when.
Is the saying of a prayer a forced thing? It can be thought of as that. Growing up we were not allowed to begin to eat without saying grace. Having a practice in place is a good way to remember that God is our provider, and we should be thankful. It is also a good practical way to practice prayer and teach it to the next generation.
What is this passage saying about saying prayers in public. I know that praying aloud in a group setting is very unnerving for many. There are others that can do this because this has become second nature. Is this the type of prayer that Jesus is warning about? I suppose it can be, if one takes pride in the eloquence and magnificence of their prayers. But I am not sure if this is a teaching against corporate prayer. I do believe that these verses are emphasizing private prayer.
Private prayer is hard for me. It is not an easy passage. Even after reading books on prayer (Prayer by Richard Foster is quite good) putting prayer into action is a practice that I need to work on. It is one thing to know that you should, and to be given the theories about different types of prayers, and it is quite something else to pray in a way that works. I am not yet there. One thing that I like about these verses is that we are urged to keep it simple. No need to ramble on. God already knows what we want, so keep it short. Now if only the public prayers would take that verse to heart.
I pray that prayer will become a bigger part of my life. I pray that God will make it real in my life, and that I am not burdened or overwhelmed with the whole idea.
I never heard that second verse sung before.
Do any of you have favourite “closets” or quiet places you like to go?
Prayer is our talks to God and as such should be done alone with God. Prayer is not for man’s approval, yet . . . when we pray aloud at meetings, at mealtimes, in public places, we are often focused on what the people may think rather than focused on our talk with the Father. Lord, teach us to pray.
I am reminded that throughout Christ’s lifetime, He withdrew to spend time with the Father. It was during these times He was also strengthened and encouraged to do His God given task. Prayer helps one on His way.
I am reminded of the child’s song that shows the importance of pray.
Read your Bible, pray every day,
Pray every day, pray every day.
Read your Bible, pray every day,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
Read your Bible, pray everyday,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.
Don’t read your Bible, forget to pray,
Forget to pray, forget to pray.
Don’t read your Bible, forget to pray,
And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.
And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.
And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.
Don’t read your Bible, forget to pray,
And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.