After writing my post last night, I was all set to take several days off and then, much to my surprise, a topic came along that I just couldn’t ignore – I just had to write about it this evening. Now what’s strange about this is the fact that I have been waiting for inspiration and sure enough, there it was right in front of me. And what a topic!
To cut to the chase, apparently Google archives different types of inquiries that occur on their site. And today they published a list of the most asked questions on “how to” do different things. This year, believe it or not, asking how to pray ranked number 8 on the list of most asked questions. I couldn’t believe it. Who would ask Google a question on how to pray? What kind of answer could you expect to get from that? In fact, I have a better suggestion than asking Google – I would urge you to ask the God of the universe directly.
And you know what? That’s exactly what the apostles did when they asked the question of Jesus. In fact, even though the disciples had been with Jesus and followed Him for the three years of His earthly ministry, the followers of Jesus didn’t fully comprehend the importance of what they were witnessing. People were coming to believe in Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. But all this was still relatively new to them.
It is important to realize they Jesus did, in fact, tell the disciples how to pray. In fact, that is our verse for the evening. From Matt 6:9, we are told, “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I’m sure that you recognize this as the first two verses of the Lord’s prayer.
And it’s important to notice that Jesus doesn’t give us any insight as to how He prays. He only instructed the disciples as to how they should pray. Jesus told his followers, “This, then, is how YOU should pray…” Theologians believe that this is because we are adopted sons and daughters while Jesus was of the same “DNA” as God – in other words, the one and only begotten Son of God. And how He communes with God could be far different than what we are instructed to do.
Whatever the case, my encouragement this evening is to follow the instructions of Jesus when it comes to praying. It is much better advice that conducting a Google search looking for answers. My prayer is that you will grow closer to Jesus, and His Father, through faithfully following a rigorous prayer life. As you probably already know, it is very rewarding and affirming to be in communion with the Lord of the universe. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…