SETTING THE CONTEXT

In the reading for today Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. The prayer he teaches is so well known that I bet you can name it from just the first two words. Let’s see. “Our Father” What prayer is it?

It is the Lord’s Prayer. Let us hear the words of Jesus found in Matthew 6: 7-15.

Read Matthew 6:7-15

THE SERMON

The passage we read today starts with what not to do. Jesus said don’t pray like the Gentiles or the non-Jews, don’t pile up empty phrases. Biblical scholar, Douglas Hare explains that this misguided prayer practice comes from an attitude that thinks of prayer as a magical means of manipulating God into doing what we want, that kind of thinking is misguided and unmindful of the true nature of God. “Authentic prayer,” he says, “acknowledges that God is concerned about our needs before we ask him.”ⁱ The Gentiles worshipped the pantheon of Roman gods, when Jesus taught this prayer to his Jewish disciples they all understood it was addressed to the one God, “our Father in heaven.” As Paul and the others took the Gospel including this prayer out into the Gentile community they had to teach the Gentiles who this God was “our Father in heaven.” Jesus calls God, Abba, “Daddy,” the Father who forgives, who fills our daily needs as Jesus describes later in his teaching about worry (6:25-34). The Father is one who knows how to give good gifts to his children (7:11). The Lord’s Prayer is a God-centered prayer that begins by naming and honoring God. “Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name.” To hallow something is to honor it as holy, so God is to be honored as the Holy One. “Our Father in heaven you are the Holy One.”ⁱⁱ It is to this God that we pray the Lord’s Prayer. This is a prayer we could pray with Jewish and Christian people together. Think about that. Over the next month George and I will be reflecting on this important prayer in a sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. It seems to me the best way to begin is to pray.

THE LORDS PRAYERⁱⁱⁱ

 This is in two parts: the pray-er (in blue type) and GOD (in red type).

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But -- you called ME!
Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.
There -- you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am. What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right. Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name . .
Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name"?
It means, it means . . good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.
Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money --
all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen,
it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention  it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME.
I'm proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember,
you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying.  (pause . . ) Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Freda?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer?
I didn't -- mean it.
Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?
Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Freda. Then, I'll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Freda’s problem -- not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh). All right . . all right . I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory -- What would really make me happy?
No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be.
So, tell me . . . How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

Amen.
 

Sermon delivered by Rev. Nancy Cushman on May 2, 2010.