IN THE SECRET ... YOU ARE THERE

 

MARCH 4, 2024

Matthew 6:5-13

... "when you pray,  go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.... for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

IN THE SECRET ... YOU ARE THERE

In reflecting on this  familiar passage, that sits at the mid-point of  Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount we have a picture of one person, secretly in their own room, praying. Jesus has been teaching and revealing a vision of the kingdom, of God's/heaven's kingdom coming on earth. Here in Matthew 6 Jesus instructs us about the role of prayer. 

Prayer is a mystery. Right? In conversations I have often heard people saying, with a bit of a sneer,  "Prayer? It doesn't go beyond the ceiling, you know." In reading these verses yesterday something really struck me in Matthew 6. The point of prayer, at least the way Jesus saw it, is that it doesn't have to "go beyond the ceiling". Notice the reading above, Your father, Jesus says, is there in the secret place with you. God sees and knows your deepest thoughts and hopes and fears. God hears the words you say. God hears, are you ready? God hears even the things we can't put into words but want to lay before him anyway. Prayer, isn't a mystery in the sense of "a puzzle we can't understand". Prayer is a sign of the incarnational mystery that heaven and earth actually mingle together. "Heaven and Earth are touching", as the song goes, and where this occurs "it is a holy place." 

As we begin our week together let us pray the Lord's Prayer below with reflections from the Psalms.  

We Pray:

Our Father in heaven, you indeed are our Father, adopting us into an eternal family. As an earthly father has compassion on his children, so you show compassion on those who fear you. You know how we are made, and remember us in our weakness. [Ps. 103] 

Hallowed be your name. You alone are holy, there is none like you; your glory is above the heavens. Yet you stoop down to lift up the needy. We exalt and worship you, for you are holy. [Ps. 113, 99] 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Christ your kingdom has already come, even though rulers of this earth gather together against you, thinking they can thwart your purposes. They cannot, for you have installed Christ, your Anointed One, the everlasting, all powerful King over all creation. [Ps. 2] 

Give us this day our daily bread. All creatures look to you for their food at the proper time; when you provide, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified. Lord, help us be good stewards of the gifts of food you have given us so that all may have their daily bread. [Ps. 104]

 Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us. Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered, and who know the joy of forgiveness. [Ps. 32]

As we have been forgiven, help us to become like Christ, forgiving those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. In mercy, O God, answer the prayers of all who are in deep distress. Hear their cries especially when they are tormented by those who deny you and act as if you do not care. At the same time, save us from sinning in our anger. Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. [Ps. 4] 

For the kingdom, the power, and glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.