FANCY PRAYIN’!

FANCY PRAYIN’!

Matt 6:5-8

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

          This is Jesus’ prelude to what we most often call “The Lord’s Prayer.” You know the one that begins: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” I find it interesting that we ignore this preliminary instruction. Jesus suggests that we avoid fancy prayin’!

          In more than forty years of ministry I’ve heard some dandy prayers full of lofty phrases and it seems right that we address the supreme majesty of heaven with such words. He likely understands them and surely deserving of them but I think he would just like a conversation with His friends. Now, a friend is just what Jesus wants to be.

John 15:14-16

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

          Some of the most moving public prayers I have ever heard have tumbled forth from the lips of simple men who addressed the Lord as if nobody else was listening. There was no mention of God’s lofty majesty because it was understood. There was a familiarity without disrespect. There was a warmth that indicated they had talked many times before. This is the kind of praying that reaches the heart of God.

Lord, I want to be your friend. I want you to be my friend. I want to be able to talk with you freely and often. Thanks for being there for me. AMEN