In Quietness and Humility
Welcome! This week we are taking a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, and the wisdom and direction exemplified by Jesus, as He taught us how to pray. Yesterday, I recommended we approach God in humility and in quietness, not to be seen by others, but to commune with God.
friend, we struggle with this “secret” communication with God because, at least in my experience, we pray and then we wait for something to happen. When it doesn’t, we assume nothing is changing. We want what we requested in secret to become very obvious with an answer!
Jesus understands this tension, so He continues: “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:7-8, NIV)
According to Jesus, effective prayer is not measured in the number of words. Jesus said… you don’t need to be fancy because your Father already knows everything you need, and even when you don’t see it, He is working for your good.
With those cautions as the backdrop, Jesus gives us a beautiful gift. He gives us the words to say:
“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.“ (Matthew 6:10, NIV)
friend, I want you to experience the Lord’s Prayer in a unique way. We are going to listen to the Lord’s Prayer in the original language that Jesus would have used—Aramaic. Take a moment and click here, to listen to this prayer in its original language:
Link to listen in Aramaic: Prayer in Aramaic
Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray…” (Matthew 6:9, NIV)
Let’s be clear; Jesus is not saying here that this is the ONLY way to pray. If that was true, Jesus wouldn’t have included other prayers like the high priestly prayer of John 15-17 or the heart-breaking prayer of “Father, not my will, but your will be done.” (Luke 22:42, NIV)
This is not an exclusive prayer, it’s an invitation to connect deeply with God.
Will you take some time today to invite God into your life, in your unique words, trusting that the prayer you offer is and will be heard by God? He invited you into His presence, in your time, with your words. So take a few moments now to welcome Him in.
You are a miracle!
