Hey God, this is Carlos...

Simplicity of Prayer

Part 2 on prayer
Luke 11:1, Matthew 6:6-9

My brother-in-law Carlos and his wife had just come to Christ that evening. His wife told him that now that they were Christians he was to be the spiritual leader over the marriage and family. She went on to say that he needed to pray now for his marriage and family and ask God for help whenever he needed it. He responded by saying, that he didn't know how to pray and she said, "Just talk to Him like He is right here."

As they lay in bed that night he prayed out loud for the first time and said, "Hey God, this is Carlos, please take care of my wife and family. (a long pause) OK God, thank You and I'll talk to You later."

Now there is something so innocent and magnetic about his sincerity. I can't help but to believe that that's the kind of prayer God the Father delights in; praying straight from the heart.

Well, Carlos isn't the only man who struggled with the concept of prayer. The disciples themselves asked the Lord to "To teach us how to pray," Luke 11:1.

No doubt they were asking the best as they observed Jesus over and over again "withdraw to a solitary place to pray". Their request tells me that they knew something was missing in this area of their life or they wouldn't be asking to learn more about it.

So in the simplest of terms, the Lord instructed them how to not pray and how to pray.

How to not pray (Matt 6:7)
Don't pray with wrong attitudes, vs.7: He directed His comments to the religious leaders of the day who loved to get showy with their flowery prayers on the busiest street corners in town to draw attention to themselves. Thus their prayers were about impression and show, not sincerely from the heart.

Don't pray with wrong motives, vs.7:  His concern with these Gentiles was that their prayer was motivated by a repetitious chanting, if you will, using the same words over and over again. The thoughts didn't spring from a sincere heart but were rather a recipe of words desiring an answer.

This mechanical form of prayer reminds me of an illustration that refers to the Latin phrase Deo Ex Machina, which means the God of the Machine. It was used to describe the stage hand behind the curtains of a play or performance. When the scene called for a diving visitation the stage hands would grab the rope attached to the pulleys and crank God down for His divine appearance. When God was done with His appearance they would crank Him back up until they needed Him again. Sound familiar? Prayer was never intended to be a channel to use God for what He could do for us. It's was designed for an intimate relationship to be developed, first and foremost.

Then in the simplest terms, Jesus directs these grown men how to pray from their heart in three specific ways:
How to pray (Matt 6: 6-9)
Pray in a personal way, vs.6: "When you pray go into your room and shut the door." The implication here is, that in the privacy of your heart you can instantly step into your soul's room and turn to your Father. Whether the prayer room is a literal one or a metaphorical room, the emphasis is a private encounter with the Lord in a moment's notice. It also suggests that He is always available and no concern whispered is ever too small. It is between Him and you alone. Wherever your room is, He is there waiting.

Pray in a relational way, vs.6,9: "Pray to your Father in secret"- Jesus tries to make prayer simple and personal by using the image and fact of a loving, available Father. He then paints a word picture of a generous Father that always gives what's best and never what would be harmful. "If you ask your Father for a piece of bread, He won't give you a stone, and if you ask for a fish He won't give you a serpent. How much more then.....He is our Father, He has our best interest at heart and is kind.
I have two sons. In the last 6 months one called me and said, "Dad, I have a broken heart". I couldn't listen and respond to him fast enough. My other son, called and said, "I have been holding something in for a long time. I need to talk to you as my Dad".  Again, I couldn't be available fast enough. He is your Father, talk to Him!

Pray in an understanding way, vs.8: "He already knows what you need before you ask Him." In other words, please understand that He understands your needs and everything about you. Of course the first thought that comes to mind is, why do we have to ask if He already knows our needs?  So that we will develop a conversational relationship with Him. Are you close to anybody that you never converse with or hardly know? Neither am I.

The Lord never intended personal prayer to be a guilt-ridden exercise of frustration but rather a relaxed, secure way to approach His throne of grace. And more than anything He wants us to know Him better through it and to be more assured that He truly knows our needs even before we ask Him.

So whatever season you find yourself in today, talk to Him. It might be that you can't sense Him and feel completely detached from His kindness. Maybe you feel that you are just going through the emotions spiritually and God's work in your life doesn't make sense. Maybe you feel that prayer isn't worth it because nothing seems to ever go your way. Step into the quietness of your thoughts and talk to Him. Even if it means you say "Hey God this is......" Be yourself; pour out your heart, He is right here, closer than your next breath.

Pastor Bill

Cultural Homestay International

Stop by the Ministry Connect Window this Sunday, May 8, and meet Amanda Stebbins, representing Cultural Homestay International. Amanda will explain becoming a host family for English speaking teens from foreign countries for the 2016-2017 school year. This is an exciting opportunity for your family to broaden their knowledge of other cultures and make friends for life! Amanda: 541.601.2787.