March 12: Keep Praying

The early Church fathers advocated a form of prayer I have found to be helpful. We begin by addressing God and then turning our attention to some specific nature of God, such as His love, holiness, or providence. We then form a petition which is in with the divine quality. We ask God to forgive us of any sin which hinders to flow to us of the grace we seek.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

• We begin this meditation by noting that genuine prayer is Christ-directed (v. 1). The Bible describes why our Lord’s disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. They probably noted the fervency of Christ’s prayers, but they also paid attention to the way John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray. The point is this. We can learn to pray. Too often, the pastor’s morning prayer falls into a rut in which he thanks God for those attending the service, prays for those absent, and ends by asking blessings on the sick. While these objects for prayer are commendable, they do not exhaust the meaning of public prayer.

• Sincere prayer is God-honoring (vv. 3-4). Jesus addressed God as Father, an assurance of His willingness to hear the prayer, but He also said, “Hallowed be thy name.” The specific attribute is God’s holiness. “Hallowed” is one aspect of the word “to sanctify,” the primary meaning. God’s righteousness causes us to bow reverently before Him.

In praying for God to reign on earth just as He reigns in heaven, Jesus introduces us to our plight and what can be done about it. We have physical needs, such as food for our bodies, but our real problem is much deeper. To enter fully into Kingdom service we rely on God’s forgiveness for sins. Asking for forgiveness, as presumptuous as it sounds, rests partially upon our own experiences. Forgiveness of others is absolutely essential for healthy souls and meaningful relationships. Without that healing process, we could not live with ourselves.

• Therefore, meaningful prayer often is neighbor-oriented (vv. 5-8). We are so blessed with abundance that we can barely identify with a home that has no food in the cupboard. A home in Jamaica where we stayed on a mission tour was like that. The host said, “I know you often have a snack at night, but we have no food in the house.” In Jesus’ illustration, the host felt compelled to rouse his neighbor from bed for food to feed the travelers. Similarly, when we are burdened with another’s needs which we cannot meet, we lay the problem before our heavenly Father. Out of His abundance, He enriches all of us.

• That our prayers will be answered is Christ-assured (vv. 9- 10). We “ask” because we have run out of answers. We “seek” for something that has been lost. We “knock” to find entrance to friendship and acceptance when others have isolated themselves from us. God answers in His own ways. At times He says, “No,” at others, “Slow,” and still others, “Go.” As we hold on to God in prayer, He opens new worlds to our spiritual understanding.

• In the final analysis, we learn that persistent praying can be spirit-empowered (vv. 11-13). Matthew’s account says the Father gives “good things to them that ask him” (7:11). Luke adds an additional insight, assuring us that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to them that ask him” (v. 13). He does not bestow stones instead of bread, serpents for a fish, nor scorpions for eggs. In the gifts of the Holy Spirit He offers the genuine fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24). He grants the grace gifts, those wonderful qualities of life that the world desires, but never fully comprehends.