Sermon Notes – Gerry’s Message

FORMED BY PRAYER

Matthew 6:7-15

 

The disciples appealed to Jesus,

"Teach us to pray."

 

Was this to be a lesson in proper wording?

A lesson in the best sequential structure?

Or

Did the request come from deep within the disciples;

From a genuine hunger to see the world as Jesus saw it.

Or

Was this a wistful desire and longing to be like Jesus,

A grounding in the life model of Christ.

Or

Was this merely the rote learning of words

So easily memorized, then soon shallow and non-thinking verbiage.

 

The prayer of Jesus

Was a prayer for disciples, grounded in God.

 

Jesus prayed as a loving "Abba" parent

For those who grasped this close relationship to God.

And

For those who recognized God's kingdom within themselves

But not only in them but in people 'round the world.

And

For those who saw the need to share the ample bread

With those so constantly without the means to gain aliveness.

And

For those who asked for that which they are willing to share,

To extend these benefits to others close and far away.

 

May we want to be like Jesus and may this prayer become ours

As Jesus demonstrates the kingdom for us to see and emulate.

 

By Gilbert G. Brandt,

    Based on a sermon by Gerry Derksen \2010-10-03