Catechetical Conversations - Part 1
Today, I thought we might begin a 4-week series entitled, “Catechetical Conversations.” For the next several weeks during our midweek services at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, we will look at the Catechism and closely study the topic of prayer. I invite you to join us with these articles and start a discussion of what prayer is to you.
But, what exactly do we mean when we talk about prayer? What is prayer? What goes on in prayer? To begin, allow me to offer a working definition:
"Prayer is the gift of God given to the people of God as a means through which we communicate to the God of all creation – an activity of the soul which consists of both listening and speaking.”
In the catechism, it says this regarding prayer: “prayer is speaking to God in words and thoughts.” It’s as simple as that.
The Psalmist desires for his entire life – body, soul, and spirit – to be pleasing to the Lord when he writes in Psalm 19:14: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (I once heard this beloved passage of Scripture quoted incorrectly when the older pastor said, “May the words of my mouth and the medications of my heart…” I guess we all make mistakes, don’t we?)
Jesus, in his teaching on what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount, had this to say regarding prayer in Matthew 6:9-13: 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
The first part of our definition tells us that prayer is a gift. James, the half brother of Jesus, simply came to see everything in this life as a gift from God. For he said in James 1:17: “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Here’s the truth: every gift, including prayer, is a gift that comes from God. Prayer then is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to his Church. Prayer is the gift that keeps on giving, meaning, a new layer is to be “unwrapped” every day. Every day that God gives you life is an opportunity to connect with heaven through prayer. It is indeed an opportunity to hear from God and to bring our petitions (the things that weigh down our hearts) to Him in prayer. Prayer is indeed a gift.
The second part of our definition tells us the purpose of prayer, namely, to communicate to the God of all creation. The God of the Bible, who ordained and consecrated all of life to fulfill its various purposes in its given time, has offered you a way to communicate with Him. This, as we will see in a moment, both involves listening and speaking. Prayer is an invitation into the Holy of Holies where God reveals himself and his everlasting truth to you. Because Jesus tore the veil in two by his death, burial and resurrection, we have access into this throne room of God any time.
Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages us this way: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” The purpose of prayer is to communicate with the God who chooses to make himself known to his people. This too indeed is a great gift.
Lastly, prayer entails both listening and speaking. The God of all creation chooses to make himself known to you. He chooses to pass by you many times during your day with the move of his Holy Spirit to instruct you in the way that you should go. But not only is speaking with God a gift, listening to God is a special gift, too. What does listening to God in prayer look like for you? How about speaking to God in prayer? How about even sitting alone with God in prayer? For me, it looks like starting my day with a cup of hot coffee in one hand and God’s Word in the other. It entails listening to His voice through reading a selected passage of Scripture; then speaking to Him what is on my heart and mind for the day based on the application of that reading. Oftentimes, I will just sit and be still before the Lord and sense the deep and loving embrace of His presence around me quieting me with his love.
So, as you can see, prayer is a gift from God. As we have said, it is the gift of God given to the people of God as a means through which we communicate to the God of all creation – an activity of the soul which consists of both listening and speaking.
Therefore, let us now go to the Lord in prayer:
Eternal God of glory, how great and awesome is your holy name. Coming before you is indeed a great gift given to us; and for this, we offer to You our thanks and praise. Grant us Your saving grace to hear Your voice and to respond in obedient joy to where you lead. For we ask this Jesus in Your holy name.
Amen