Practicing Prayer
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. When you pray, don’t keep on babbling like pagans, they think they will be heard because of their many words. Don’t be like them, your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
-Matthew 6:5-8
“Who would like to pray?” This is often the dreaded question at any youth group function. We get anxious about praying aloud in front of other people, especially our peers. Jesus taught his disciples that the most powerful and effective prayers were not those done aloud in a group – that type of prayer was most often for show and not really for God. Prayer is intended to be a conversation with God. It takes speaking as well as listening. Henri Nouwen talks of prayer as a waste of time to just be in God’s presence.
What we ask of God is no surprise to God. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt. 6:8) But the asking is still important. Sometimes in my own practice of prayer, I come to the time of communication with God ready for my own agenda and list of needs and requests. But in the process of prayer, that list can shift. I realize that what God is doing may be different than what I was prepared to ask. My heart and mind shift and I am more open to the work of the Holy Spirit rather than my own agenda.
May we continue to practice prayer and seek first God’s kingdom, “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt. 6:8)
God of grace, we confess that we are more eager to receive your mercy than we are to extend your kindness to others. We ask for what we need without considering whether we have what someone else needs. We seek your forgiveness but hold grudges against others. We want you to lead us, but only if you will send us where we want to go. By your grace, we want to turn this around. We choose to give you more than we think we can spare; to forgive even those who have yet to ask for forgiveness; to follow you wherever you choose to lead us. Receive our commitment to new life, in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.
Lent Spiritual Practices worship services at 6:30pm:
March 19 – Prayer Practices (focus on the Lord’s Prayer)
March 26 – Meditation (Lectio Divina)
April 2 – NO MEETING during SPRING BREAK
April 9 – Confession & Repentance
Holy Week Services:
April 13 – Palm Sunday Worship
April 17 – Maundy Thursday service 7pm in Garden Sanctuary
April 18 – Good Friday service 7pm in Main Sanctuary
April 20 – Easter Sunday worship, breakfast, egg hunt, celebration!
