Lent Series Post 1

Last night I began the season of lent teaching on the disciplines of the Christian life.  The first discipline I taught on was prayer.

I first gave this statement:

 

The disciplines are not simply a routine of religious acts. They are evidence of a relationship.

Prayer is the result, a natural result of a relationship between God and man, Father and child.  The Model prayer of Jesus demonstrates this (Bold words expanded on below)

Luke 11:2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. '"

      Father:

Relationship, not Santa Claus, superman, or supernatural force, but a God to whom you are relationally connected.

 

Give us: dependency; total reliance on God. Certainly not impressing him with our independent toughness

 

Forgive us: relationships take work.  When we fail (often) we need him restoration.

 

      Lead us not: show us a better way, one decision at a time. Like a dance, Father you lead, we follow

Prayer is the outflow of a relationship of trust and dependency on God. We pray because we know He cares.