Episode 11 Notes - Teach Us to Pray (Part 1)

God values our prayers, more than we may think! Jesus’ disciples never asked him to teach them how to preach. But they did ask him, “Lord, teach us how to pray.”

The Lord’s Prayer or The Disciples’ prayer is, in a sense, everybody’s chance to walk where Jesus walked - to put the feet of our souls where Jesus put the feet of his soul when he prayed. Each phrase of the prayer is intended as a focal point…or…a seed thought which can be expanded to a longer meditation/prayer around that point.

Jesus is instructing us to address God as “Our Father.” This is profoundly important. These two words confer upon us a new identity… a new destiny and a new confidence. They tell us who we are and what we can expect from God.

The Lord’s Prayer has been so familiar for so long that these words don’t startle us. But they would have in the time of Jesus! No individual and I mean nobody then, addressed God directly as their personal Father. To my knowledge, this invitation to address God as our Father in such an endearing way is utterly unique to the Christian faith.

Author, Wesley Hill put it this way, “Any picture of God as “Father” that leads us to think in terms of domination and cruelty rather than of humble service and unending love is not a true understanding of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘Who loved us and gave himself for us.’ ”

So when Jesus invites us to pray, “Our Father…Our Daddy” he invites us into a similar loving relationship that he himself has had with the Father from all eternity past. We are invited to stand in a place beside Jesus before his Father…younger brothers and sisters before a common Father. We are being offered a stunning privilege.

So, as you meditate and expand on this part of the prayer it could go something like this:
• Hello, Dad. Thank you for making me a part of your forever family - I’m humbled and profoundly grateful.
• Hello, Dad. Thanks that you are never too busy to give your full attention to me. That no need is too small, no circumstance too trivial that you do not care.
• Hello, Dad. I want to be a good son and make you proud of me. My deep desire is to bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.
• Hello, Dad. I want to grow up to be like you…to reflect your goodness and your wisdom to all those who know me.
• Hello, Dad. I surrender to your loving and wise leadership over my life.
• Hello, Dad. I am confident that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate me from your love. • Hello, Dad. Thank you for the future you have in store for me. I know your dreams for my life . will one day become a reality.

One big misconception about prayer: so often people think prayer is talking. For me the most important part of prayer is just being still and listening.

I/you have a Father
He calls me/you His own
He'll never leave me/you
No matter where I/you go
He knows my/your name
He knows my/your every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me/you when I/you call
(He Knows My Name)