Good Morning to All,
Luke
18:13; “But the tax
collector, standing far
off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
When
I first started to take classes at the seminary there was a standard joke told
by all the professors the first time they talked to us. Apparently it was in the “joke of the day”
file of the morning announcements because each one told it. We laughed harder when the president of the
seminary or one of the deans of faculty told the joke than we did when one of
the associate professors told it. The joke
was this. “Now that you are going to
become ministers you expect to be invited out to dinner more often. People will invite you and feed you just so
they don’t have to say a table prayer.”
It was funny the first time but not so
funny the fifth time. Yet there is a
certain amount of truth in this statement; many people will almost anything to
get out of praying, especially in public.
So why are we so intimidated by praying?
For many, it is the “public” part that really throws us but almost as
many have trouble praying. I remember
talking with a woman who struggled with prayer.
“I just don’t know all the right words.”
This is a common theme for many.
We don’t know all the “church words” and how to use them.
The first thing to remember is that prayers
which are part of the liturgy of the church have been written and honed
throughout the centuries. These are
specially written for certain times and events.
Yet this should not deter our personal prayer. The thing to remember is that prayers are not
meant to impress your neighbor or even God but rather they are to speak from
the heart. Our verse is from the story
of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying.
The Pharisee speaks loudly and boldly about how good he is. This is for the benefit of those who are
listening.
Yet the tax collector never lifts his eyes to heaven and asks for
mercy. Notice his prayer is only seven
words long. Our prayers don’t need to be
any longer than that. “Father, forgive
me for I am a sinner.” “Father, I am frightened; please comfort me.” Father, I am in pain; please heal me.” “Father, I am in sorrow and sadness; please
console me.” “Father, thank you for this blessing.” None of these are long or “churchy” but they
express our needs and fears. They express
our joys and happiness. This is what
prayer is; it is telling God what it is in your life, right now, that causes
you to lose sleep or cause you to cry or cause you to shudder. Tell God, as simply as possible. That is true prayer.
Father,
too often we do not know the words to say.
We think we are inadequate and that we lack the skill to pray. Father give us the courage to see that you
desire our prayers and that through them you bless us. Guide us by your Spirit to boldly come before
your heavenly throne and seek your grace and that we can be confident of your
mercy. In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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