Genesis 18:20-33; Colossians 2:6–15; Luke 11:1-13

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I’m always looking for the right words. It never fails that in conversations and writings, I can’t seem to think of the right words to express what I want. I juggle around other words to try to make up for the loss of vocabulary, yet they don’t do it justice because it’s not the word I was thinking about. It bothers me especially when it’s on the tip of my tongue, yet still won’t come to mind. 

Now, I know I’m not alone in this struggle for I’ve heard others tell me similar things. I’ve also found this is especially true when we’re talking about prayer. So many people have an aversion to praying, that is, especially praying out loud in front of a group. Growing up, in church youth group, it wasn’t uncommon for the leader to ask someone to pray. Right as they did, everyone would turn and look away, hoping not to be called on. You could say we were all at a loss for words.

Prayer is a funny thing. We all think it’s so hard to pray because we never know what to say. We don’t know how to communicate our thoughts and ideas. It should come as no surprise then that Jesus’ disciples were no different. In our Gospel reading this week, the disciples ask Jesus to give them the words to use that they may pray “better.” And of course, Jesus obliges. Hence, we have the Lord’s Prayer.

There’s no understating what a blessing this prayer is for the Christian. To have our Lord’s own words be given to us that we may pray is helpful for us to learn what prayer actually is. For you see, we should cherish these words as believers, but they shouldn’t be thought of as constricting. Our Lord’s prayer is a building block, teaching us greater and deeper truths.

In our Lord’s prayer, Jesus shows us that we have a Heavenly Father who is beyond gracious. God desires to give us all good things; things which are far greater than anything we could ever think or hope to ask for. He gives us daily bread. He gives us forgiveness. He gives us his kingdom by sending His one and only Son. Yes, our Lord’s prayer shows us that we don’t need the most sophisticated words, perfect phrases, or even a coherent thought. We can simply come before God with all that is on our heart and ask. For so Jesus says, “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened,” Luke 11:10. Indeed, we know that God our Heavenly Father hears us and desires to give us the greatest things. Now, we have all the words we need to ask for and receive faith, forgiveness, and eternal salvation! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!