Luke 11: 1-13,
A priest, a minister and a guru were discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray," the priest said. "No," the minister said, "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the guru said. "The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor." The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas," he interrupted, "The best praying I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from a telephone pole."
For many of us, prayer is what we do when we need something or we’re in trouble. A loved one is facing a serious operation, so we pray. We’ve applied for a job we want and need, so we pray. We’re late for an engagement and can’t find a parking spot, so we pray.
Prayer is so much more than this. Prayer is at the center of discipleship - a life of faith. Prayer is one of the most elastic, versatile spiritual practices available to us. There are fixed prayers. There are spontaneous prayers. There are prayers we say with words. Prayers we say with silence. Some prayers recommend a certain posture. Others are free-form. Prayer can be offered in private and solitude, or in company of faithful in a football field. One thing is certain: prayer connects us to God and opens our soul to the divine spark present within us. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is the essence of a Christian life. So how do we get from praying when we’re in trouble, to “praying without ceasing”, as Paul advises in his first letter to the Thessalonians?
I first learned about prayer when I had the special privilege of attending a mass and luncheon where Mother Theresa was the guest of honor. She talked about her work with the dying and poor and my heart adolescent heart was deeply stirred – so much so, that in the question/answer time, I blurted out, “how do we become holy?” I was so frightened by my boldness I only remember the first four words of her answer. It was “you begin with prayer.” Prayer is the fuel and the lighter fluid to living a meaningful, spiritual life.
In time I learned Mother Theresa had additional, helpful things to say about prayer. She commented: “Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, There are some people who, in order not to pray, use an excuse the fact that life is so hectic that it prevents them from praying. This cannot be…Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were a prayer…It is not necessary to always be meditating, nor to consciously experience the sensation that we are talking to God, no matter how nice this would be….What matters is being with Him, living in Him, in His will. To love with a pure heart, to love everybody, especially to love the poor, is a twenty-four hour prayer.” Prayer is a truly a day in-day out enterprise.
The Luke the author of the gospel bearing his name and of Acts, focuses on prayer more than any New Testament writers, depicts the power of prayer. Luke shows how prayer molded Jesus’ life even before he was born. Remember at the beginning we hear of Zechariah, the priest, had made the offerings in the temple, who is told by the Angel Gabriel that his prayers had been heard—prayers he and his barren wife had made for decades for a child -- they became parents of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus. After Jesus’ birth, Luke also tells us of the widow-prophet Anna, who spent over 50 years praying in the temple for the messiah. 50 years, praying for Jesus. Zechariah and Anna are examples of persistent prayer, prayer that asks, prayer that seeks, prayer that knocks, prayer that waits for God’s time.
Jesus prayed, especially at key moments in his life: Near his baptism (4:42;), during his healing ministry (5:16), when choosing the 12 apostles (6:12). Jesus prayed when he was transfigured (Lu 22:32 ). Only Luke makes the point that Jesus cleansed the Temple so that the Holy Place could be reestablished as a place of prayer (19:46). Jesus prayers for strength for Peter to endure temptation (Lu 22:39-46) and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before his death.
It’s not surprising that the disciples want Jesus to teach them to pray. They witnessed Jesus praying, they knew he went off by himself to pray, and that prayer was important. In Jewish communities men would met at the synagogue and pray several times a day. No doubt the disciples of John and other sects had some kind of prayer structure to their day. This is what the disciples wanted. Structure and identity as a community as followers of Jesus. The disciples wanted to learn to pray in the way that would identify them as followers of Jesus So Jesus taught them a prayer, the most famous in Christianity, “the Our Father.”
Similar to other rabbinic prayers of the day, Jesus gives us a prayer that is not just about praying, but about living the kingdom vision Jesus offers. Jesus wants us to think deeply and let these powerful images transform our hearts. Let us meditate on the meaning of the Lord’s prayer.
If I say “Father" I commit myself to act like a child of God’s child – and recognize other people as God’s children.
If I say "Who art in Heaven" I commit myself to the values of the kingdom of heaven: to love, forgiveness, truth, hope, righteousness for starters.
If I say "hallowed be Thy Name" I acknowledge you are holy, and I strive for holiness—goodness-- I must acknowledge that all are created in God’s image.
If I say "Thy Kingdom come "then I do my part to create the kingdom of God’s justice and righteousness on earth.
If I say "Thy will be done" then I work to put aside my will and seek to do God’s will.
If I say "on earth as it is in Heaven" I strive to serve God perfectly, and believe that we can make of this earth a heaven by our actions.
If I say "give us this day our daily bread" I will trust in God to provide, and I will keep my focus on the present, while I share the bread I have with others in need.
If I say "forgive us our debts" I acknowledge I have sinned before God.
If I say “as we forgive our debtors” I commit to make forgiveness a key value in my life.
If I say "lead us not into temptation" I commit to do what I can not to put myself in temptation’s way.
If I say "deliver us from evil" Then daily I will put on the whole armor of God – acts of truth, righteousness, peace, and faith.
The Our Father is not just a prayer. It is a manifesto for Christian living – a prayer we are to embody. Jesus anchors the Our Father with three actions we are to engage in: Ask. Seek. Knock. Ask because God is generous and wants to us to petition God for what we need in our lives.. Seek, Jesus says. Seeking involves careful investigation, reflection, active participation -- Seeking is asking plus acting. Jesus says knock – means to rap at a door to gain entrance it implies an even greater and more repetitive intensity than either asking or seeking. The English word “knock” comes from the German word “to press.” This speaks of persistent faith and grounded prayer. Knocking includes asking plus acting plus persevering. We trust and pray, even in the face of delay. It makes our life into an Our Father, a living, breathing prayer we pray unceasingly, trusting in God’s goodness, as we allow prayer to deepen our relationship with God.
So prayer is often like this…
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life... God said, "Rather, I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things."
I asked God to give me wisdom…God said, "Rather, I will give you problems to solve so you may become wise."
I asked God to give me strength…God said, "Rather, I will give you difficulties to make you strong."
I asked God to give me prosperity…God said, "Rather, I will reward you with the fruits of your labor."
I asked God to take away my pain…God said, "Rather, It is not for me to take it away, but for you to give it up."
I asked God to spare me pain...God said, "Rather, Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and draws you closer to me."
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole…God said, "Rather, the child's spirit is whole, and it's body is only temporary."
I asked God to grant me patience…God said, "Rather, patience isn't granted, it's learned through tribulation."
I asked God to give me happiness...God said, "Rather, I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to give me favors…God said, "Rather, I will give you choices."
I asked God to make my spirit grow...God said, "Rather, your faith will give you growth, and I will prune you to make you fruitful."
I asked God to give me love…God said, "Rather, I will send to you those in need for you to give your love to."
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me...God said, "Now you understand! Your love will shine through as you fulfill My Law."
That is the Lord’s Prayer. As we ask, seek and knock, may we come to see hand of God lovingly shaping our lives for the good through our prayers. May our life be a prayer of words and action, through which the Kingdom of God becomes real for us and for all those for whom we pray. Amen.
A priest, a minister and a guru were discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray," the priest said. "No," the minister said, "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the guru said. "The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor." The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas," he interrupted, "The best praying I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from a telephone pole."
For many of us, prayer is what we do when we need something or we’re in trouble. A loved one is facing a serious operation, so we pray. We’ve applied for a job we want and need, so we pray. We’re late for an engagement and can’t find a parking spot, so we pray.
Prayer is so much more than this. Prayer is at the center of discipleship - a life of faith. Prayer is one of the most elastic, versatile spiritual practices available to us. There are fixed prayers. There are spontaneous prayers. There are prayers we say with words. Prayers we say with silence. Some prayers recommend a certain posture. Others are free-form. Prayer can be offered in private and solitude, or in company of faithful in a football field. One thing is certain: prayer connects us to God and opens our soul to the divine spark present within us. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is the essence of a Christian life. So how do we get from praying when we’re in trouble, to “praying without ceasing”, as Paul advises in his first letter to the Thessalonians?
I first learned about prayer when I had the special privilege of attending a mass and luncheon where Mother Theresa was the guest of honor. She talked about her work with the dying and poor and my heart adolescent heart was deeply stirred – so much so, that in the question/answer time, I blurted out, “how do we become holy?” I was so frightened by my boldness I only remember the first four words of her answer. It was “you begin with prayer.” Prayer is the fuel and the lighter fluid to living a meaningful, spiritual life.
In time I learned Mother Theresa had additional, helpful things to say about prayer. She commented: “Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, There are some people who, in order not to pray, use an excuse the fact that life is so hectic that it prevents them from praying. This cannot be…Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were a prayer…It is not necessary to always be meditating, nor to consciously experience the sensation that we are talking to God, no matter how nice this would be….What matters is being with Him, living in Him, in His will. To love with a pure heart, to love everybody, especially to love the poor, is a twenty-four hour prayer.” Prayer is a truly a day in-day out enterprise.
The Luke the author of the gospel bearing his name and of Acts, focuses on prayer more than any New Testament writers, depicts the power of prayer. Luke shows how prayer molded Jesus’ life even before he was born. Remember at the beginning we hear of Zechariah, the priest, had made the offerings in the temple, who is told by the Angel Gabriel that his prayers had been heard—prayers he and his barren wife had made for decades for a child -- they became parents of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus. After Jesus’ birth, Luke also tells us of the widow-prophet Anna, who spent over 50 years praying in the temple for the messiah. 50 years, praying for Jesus. Zechariah and Anna are examples of persistent prayer, prayer that asks, prayer that seeks, prayer that knocks, prayer that waits for God’s time.
Jesus prayed, especially at key moments in his life: Near his baptism (4:42;), during his healing ministry (5:16), when choosing the 12 apostles (6:12). Jesus prayed when he was transfigured (Lu 22:32 ). Only Luke makes the point that Jesus cleansed the Temple so that the Holy Place could be reestablished as a place of prayer (19:46). Jesus prayers for strength for Peter to endure temptation (Lu 22:39-46) and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before his death.
It’s not surprising that the disciples want Jesus to teach them to pray. They witnessed Jesus praying, they knew he went off by himself to pray, and that prayer was important. In Jewish communities men would met at the synagogue and pray several times a day. No doubt the disciples of John and other sects had some kind of prayer structure to their day. This is what the disciples wanted. Structure and identity as a community as followers of Jesus. The disciples wanted to learn to pray in the way that would identify them as followers of Jesus So Jesus taught them a prayer, the most famous in Christianity, “the Our Father.”
Similar to other rabbinic prayers of the day, Jesus gives us a prayer that is not just about praying, but about living the kingdom vision Jesus offers. Jesus wants us to think deeply and let these powerful images transform our hearts. Let us meditate on the meaning of the Lord’s prayer.
If I say “Father" I commit myself to act like a child of God’s child – and recognize other people as God’s children.
If I say "Who art in Heaven" I commit myself to the values of the kingdom of heaven: to love, forgiveness, truth, hope, righteousness for starters.
If I say "hallowed be Thy Name" I acknowledge you are holy, and I strive for holiness—goodness-- I must acknowledge that all are created in God’s image.
If I say "Thy Kingdom come "then I do my part to create the kingdom of God’s justice and righteousness on earth.
If I say "Thy will be done" then I work to put aside my will and seek to do God’s will.
If I say "on earth as it is in Heaven" I strive to serve God perfectly, and believe that we can make of this earth a heaven by our actions.
If I say "give us this day our daily bread" I will trust in God to provide, and I will keep my focus on the present, while I share the bread I have with others in need.
If I say "forgive us our debts" I acknowledge I have sinned before God.
If I say “as we forgive our debtors” I commit to make forgiveness a key value in my life.
If I say "lead us not into temptation" I commit to do what I can not to put myself in temptation’s way.
If I say "deliver us from evil" Then daily I will put on the whole armor of God – acts of truth, righteousness, peace, and faith.
The Our Father is not just a prayer. It is a manifesto for Christian living – a prayer we are to embody. Jesus anchors the Our Father with three actions we are to engage in: Ask. Seek. Knock. Ask because God is generous and wants to us to petition God for what we need in our lives.. Seek, Jesus says. Seeking involves careful investigation, reflection, active participation -- Seeking is asking plus acting. Jesus says knock – means to rap at a door to gain entrance it implies an even greater and more repetitive intensity than either asking or seeking. The English word “knock” comes from the German word “to press.” This speaks of persistent faith and grounded prayer. Knocking includes asking plus acting plus persevering. We trust and pray, even in the face of delay. It makes our life into an Our Father, a living, breathing prayer we pray unceasingly, trusting in God’s goodness, as we allow prayer to deepen our relationship with God.
So prayer is often like this…
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life... God said, "Rather, I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things."
I asked God to give me wisdom…God said, "Rather, I will give you problems to solve so you may become wise."
I asked God to give me strength…God said, "Rather, I will give you difficulties to make you strong."
I asked God to give me prosperity…God said, "Rather, I will reward you with the fruits of your labor."
I asked God to take away my pain…God said, "Rather, It is not for me to take it away, but for you to give it up."
I asked God to spare me pain...God said, "Rather, Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and draws you closer to me."
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole…God said, "Rather, the child's spirit is whole, and it's body is only temporary."
I asked God to grant me patience…God said, "Rather, patience isn't granted, it's learned through tribulation."
I asked God to give me happiness...God said, "Rather, I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you."
I asked God to give me favors…God said, "Rather, I will give you choices."
I asked God to make my spirit grow...God said, "Rather, your faith will give you growth, and I will prune you to make you fruitful."
I asked God to give me love…God said, "Rather, I will send to you those in need for you to give your love to."
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me...God said, "Now you understand! Your love will shine through as you fulfill My Law."
That is the Lord’s Prayer. As we ask, seek and knock, may we come to see hand of God lovingly shaping our lives for the good through our prayers. May our life be a prayer of words and action, through which the Kingdom of God becomes real for us and for all those for whom we pray. Amen.
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