"Genuine Prayer"

Luke 18:9-14 Romans 8:16-28

May 17, 2009

          Exams are being given in our schools - or soon will be.  It always reminds me of David Brinkley's line; "As long as there are math exams there will be prayer in schools."  Listening to Romans 8 and to the parable of that Pharisee and tax collector helps me understand that prayer is something more than a celestial request line for use in times of stress.  Prayer is much more like a sit down with a very good counselor.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.  Romans 8:26,27

          Things can get pretty rugged and wild out there.  Paul describes the whole creation groaning as if it's in childbirth.  We are on our way somewhere but we haven't arrived.  Until we do, God offers us a life of genuine prayer.

          Years ago Kathy talked me into taking on a relaxing rafting trip on the Fox River in Wisconsin.  If I hadn't gotten in the raft with her I would have never known that you can't maneuver a rubber raft with canoe paddles.  I would have never known what it's like to feel the rocks of river rapids on my back side.  I would have never known what it was like to go over a ten foot water fall -- backwards!  And I'd be the poorer for not knowing.

          It wasn't what I expected and I didn't always like what was happening at the time, but I'm glad I went.  It drew Kathy and me -- closer -- later on!

          A walk with God can be like that journey down the Fox River.  Getting into the raft and shoving off is similar to entering a lifestyle of prayer.  The Spirit of God takes charge in genuine prayer.  The Spirit shows us things about God and about ourselves in the talk, the singing, and the silences of prayer. Sometimes it's with the wordless groans of struggling through times that words cannot help or describe.

          Prayer floats along in the sunshine (Ah, sweet hour of prayer!) and it goes over waterfalls -- backwards.  We discover how we do not have as much control as we thought we did - or would like to have.  But as we trust God with that control it works out alright in the end.

          Thinking about control and prayer, listen to this from Douglas Steere.

"Prayer is a threat to the continued enthronement of our egocentric goals and there is a massive resistance in us to continued prayer." 

          Sometimes I don't want to get into that rubber raft and leave my future to the turns of the "River Glorious." It's not always "God's perfect peace!"  I'd rather do it my way and in my time thank you very much!  So it's tempting to forget all about prayer, to stand by the river, and to daydream about self-reliance and autonomy.  That all may be well and good for awhile but it leads nowhere!  There's something deep inside us; telling us that we are here for a journey.  God has made that much clear since the time of Abraham.

          In the parable Jesus told about the Pharisee and the tax collector, that Pharisee "prayed to himself."  "Egocentric goals" were getting in the way.  It's tempting to stand on the river's edge and imagine a journey of our own making -- within our own control -- and say some phony self-serving prayer.

          Genuine prayer lets go of our need to be in control.  It gets us into the river by saying things like, "Not my will but thine be done."

          I'll leave you with one more tidbit from Steere.

"Often there is the unwillingness to accept our own self as 'one of the least of these my bretheren' who needs befriending." 

          Prayer - genuine prayer - is always a conversation between friends.  It's natural to want to measure up and earn our friend's esteem.  Who wants to be a flunky or a moocher?  I'm sure that tax collector was ashamed to have to say he needed God's forgiveness.  He couldn't even look up; like we don't look someone in the eye when caught doing something wrong.  But we're accepted as we are - when we will own our own need for God's grace.

          Genuine prayer brings us through the rocks and rapids of life's stream.  It'll urge us to face facts and come clean.  Perhaps the first genuine prayer we pray - the one that launches a journey with God - goes like this: "God, be merciful to me a sinner."  "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner."

          To experience a genuine life of prayer, be genuine before God.

TAKING IT HOME: A LIFE OF GENUINE PRAYER

Learn It By Heart!

        "Arrow prayers" are said as a single sentence or two in response to the situation of the moment.  They are found all over the Bible and can help us to discover the relationship of God to our everyday living.  A number of them are listed below.  Dwell on the ones that touch you and think about how each of them relates to your living.

"Behold, I am the Lord's servant, let it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

"Lord, let your servant now depart in peace."  Luke 2:29

"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"  Mark 9:24

"Abba, Father."  Mark 14:36

"Lord, save me."  Matthew 14:30

"God, be merciful to me a sinner."  Luke 18:13

"Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom."  Luke 23:42

"Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life."  John 6:68

          These prayers may also be used to help you become quiet before God.  Let them enter your heart as you say them quietly.  Then let yourself become completely quiet and open to God's company.