Day 13: Unlearning Prayer

There a few things as pure as the prayer of a child.

I have a cousin who when he was little always concluded the prayer with “…and have a nice day, God.”

Another kid I know prayed, “Dear God, please help our future. Don't let it be like the future on TV.”

Kids’ prayers are the best (you know what I mean!), right?

I think one reason for that is because kids don’t “know” how to pray yet.

They don’t know the “phrases.”

“Please help the sick and afflicted.”

“Guide, guard, and direct us until we meet again at the next appointed time.”

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not belittling people who pray those phrases (I’ve been “that guy” plenty of times), but I think we’ve always got to be on guard against praying “empty prayers,” or words that have little thought or meaning behind them.

Perhaps the disciples wanted to “unlearn” prayer.

No doubt they’d been educated by their society about prayer, too. They had heard the “empty prayers” of the Pharisees in their day, who prayed loudly out in public for all to see and to hear (Matthew 6:5). And they had probably heard the “wordy babblings” of the pagans’ prayers, as well (Matthew 6:7). Otherwise, why would Jesus have referenced those two examples?

Jesus wanted his hearers to “unlearn” the prayers that they were accustomed to hearing. His disciples understood that.

At first, I flinch when I read this. Don’t they know who they’re talking to here? What do they mean saying to the Lord “We want to pray like John”?

But that’s not what they’re saying at all.

They admired the way that John taught his disciples to pray. Jesus’ disciples recognized him (and rightfully so) as a true prophet of God, and they sought that same kind of attention, instruction, and teaching from their Rabbi.

They didn’t ask John to teach them. They wanted to learn from the Master, the Teacher, the Rabbi, the Son of God.

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

And, Lord, teach us to pray. Help us to always be mindful of what we are saying and Who we are talking to when we are talking to You. We want to be as little children and we seek innocence, purity, and freshness in our prayer life. Help us never to offer up empty phrases or worship. Help us to turn to You as we grow in our prayer life as Your children should. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Philip Jenkins, Youth Minister at Mt. Juliet

# posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Friday, November 26, 2010

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Day 13: Unlearning Prayer There a few things as pure as the prayer of a child. I have a cousin who when he was little always concluded the prayer with “…and have a nice day, God.” Another kid I know prayed, “Dear God, please help our future. Don't let it be like the future on TV.” Kids’ prayers are the best (you know what I mean!), right? I think one reason for that is because kids don’t “know” how to pray yet. They don’t know the “phrases.” “Please help the sick and afflicted.” “Guide, guard, and direct us until we meet again at the next appointed time.” Now, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not belittling people who pray those phrases (I’ve been “that guy” plenty of times), but I think we’ve always got to be on guard against praying “empty prayers,” or words that have little thought or meaning behind them. Perhaps the disciples wanted to “unlearn” prayer. No doubt they’d been educated by their society about prayer, too. They had heard the “empty prayers” of the Pharisees in their day, who prayed loudly out in public for all to see and to hear (Matthew 6:5). And they had probably heard the “wordy babblings” of the pagans’ prayers, as well (Matthew 6:7). Otherwise, why would Jesus have referenced those two examples? Jesus wanted his hearers to “unlearn” the prayers that they were accustomed to hearing. His disciples understood that. At first, I flinch when I read this. Don’t they know who they’re talking to here? What do they mean saying to the Lord “We want to pray like John”? But that’s not what they’re saying at all. They admired the way that John taught his disciples to pray. Jesus’ disciples recognized him (and rightfully so) as a true prophet of God, and they sought that same kind of attention, instruction, and teaching from their Rabbi. They didn’t ask John to teach them. They wanted to learn from the Master, the Teacher, the Rabbi, the Son of God. “Lord, teach us to pray.” And, Lord, teach us to pray. Help us to always be mindful of what we are saying and Who we are talking to when we are talking to You. We want to be as little children and we seek innocence, purity, and freshness in our prayer life. Help us never to offer up empty phrases or worship. Help us to turn to You as we grow in our prayer life as Your children should. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Written by Philip Jenkins, Youth Minister at Mt. Juliet # posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Friday, November 26, 2010 Comments: Post a Comment << Home	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM Past Archives: November 2010 December 2010

Day 13: Unlearning Prayer

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