Dr. Ron Sumners
August 3, 2003
They grew quiet. They knew Jesus had been off by Himself praying. He began and ended every day by finding a solitary place and communing with God. Usually He returned to His disciples with some fresh insight, but this night He sat silently gazing into the fire. On such nights Jesus wanted to answer their question. And they always had plenty of questions!
Thomas, who along with Peter, was always the first to speak. He cleared his throat and said, "Lord, teach us how to pray."
Jesus smiled and answered, "When you pray, remember to whom you are speaking. Don't say words to try to impress God or those who might overhear your prayer. Instead, find a quiet place where you can speak honestly to God. Become more interested in hearing what God has to say to you than having others hear you. Don't forget that a good conversation includes speaking and listening. Don't just offer vain ramblings to the Father; listen to what He has to say to you."
"There is no need to try to manipulate God with flowery words, magic formulas, or mindless chants. The pagans pray to their false gods in such a way. Such methods are always selfish and designed to trick God into doing what we want instead of seeking His will. The point of prayer is not to get what we want, but to receive what we need. Don't forget that God knows what you need before you do.
"When you pray, remember to whom you are speaking. Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, you are good and holy. Let your kingdom come and your will be done. Let it be on earth as it is in heaven. Give us what we need today. Forgive our sins and help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Strengthen us in temptation and deliver us from evil."
When Jesus had finished, there was an uncomfortable silence. The disciples looked at one another in embarrassed dismay, hoping that one of the others would ask the obvious question.
Thomas noticed the other disciples staring at him when Peter did not ask the question. He cleared his throat again and asked, "Lord, are you sure that is how we should pray?"
Jesus said, "What is it that you are in doubt of this time, Thomas?"
Thomas said, "Well, Lord, we have all been praying another prayer every morning. We pray: “Bless me and enlarge my territory. Let your hand be on me, and keep me from harm so I will feel no pain.'"
Jesus responded, "And you like that prayer better than the one I just taught you?"
Thomas said, "Don't get me wrong, Jesus. Your prayer is very nice. We all thought it was very sweet, but we've already memorized this other one and it seems to work."
Jesus turned to the other disciples and said, "Do you all feel this way?"
Judas answered for the group, "Lord, there has been more money in the common purse since we have been praying that prayer."
John added, "Lord, I don't mean to be critical, but outside of Galilee no one knows who you are. It wouldn't hurt if you asked God to enlarge your territory."
Peter finally joined the discussion, "And Lord, I especially like the part about keeping me free from pain."
Jesus was no longer smiling.
He said, "Let me make this clear. I have told you often that if you would be my disciples, you must deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow me. Judas, when I sent you out, two by two, did I tell you to take gold or silver?"
Judas hung his head, "No."
"Did God provide for all your needs?"
"Yes."
Jesus asked, "John, how many times have I said that My kingdom is not of this world?"
John looked away, "I don't know. A lot, I guess."
"I want you to memorize these words and you might want to write them down so you can tell others one day. My kingdom is not of this world."
"Yes, Lord."
Jesus said, "Peter, do you love me?" "Of course!"
"Do you love me enough to suffer and die for me, or are you more interested in a life free from pain?"
"Lord, you know that I would die for you!"
"Peter, you don't even want to pray my prayer."
Then Jesus stood, shook His head in frustration, and disappeared back into the night. He had found more reasons to pray. That night many of His disciples slipped off into the darkness. They said to each other, "This is another hard teaching. Who can't accept it? Jesus just doesn't live in the real world."
The next morning Jesus awoke to discover that there were only the twelve left around the campfire. He asked, "Do you plan to leave too?"
Peter answered, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life."
James Mulholland tells this story in his book "Praying like Jesus."
This is not what happened two thousand years ago. Unfortunately, it is happening today in thousands of churches and with millions of Christians. The past couple of years the Christian world has been abuzz over a little book called The Prayer of Jabez. It has topped the New York Times bestseller list. Even its author, Bruce Wilkerson, has been surprised by its wild popularity. Thousands of Christians are repeating an obscure prayer first uttered by a man named Jabez over three thousand years ago. Many have become convinced that his words are the formula for prosperity.
Across America, hundreds of pastors are being pulled aside by excited church members who are saying, "You have to pray this prayer. It has changed my life." Such a testimony is hard to dispute, especially when it is a prayer that includes the requests "Bless me, enlarge my territory, keep your hand on me, and keep me free from pain." In a materialistic, self-centered culture, such a prayer is always attractive.
Many pastors have embraced this prayer and its philosophy wholeheartedly. They have incorporated it into worship and preached sermon series on each of the phrases. They have given copies of the book to their entire congregation. They have ignored the warnings of the author that his book was not intended to justify selfishness. They have encouraged their church members to begin every morning with this prayer.
Unfortunately, they have not reflected on the dangers of teaching self-centered people to begin each day with the chant, "Bless me!" They don't seem to worry about the compromises inherent in a marriage of prayer and prosperity. They haven't considered the consequences of making prayer into a device for getting what they want. In the midst of this frenzy of egotism and materialism, they have overlooked the obvious - the Prayer of Jabez is not the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray! Indeed, in very significant ways, the Prayer of Jabez is counter to the heart of the Gospel and the priorities of Jesus. It represents the advancement of self and the resistance to self-denial. Jesus fought that battle His entire earthly ministry. The church today faces the same challenge.
There is a very good reason that I have not promoted the reading of The Prayer of Jabez - Jabez got it wrong!
In fairness to Jabez and to the Bible, neither suggests that his prayer should be used as a model for others. This honor is reserved for another short prayer located in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It is the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray. We call this prayer, "The Lord's Prayer." It is the kind of prayer that you and I should pray, not necessarily word for word, in unison, on Sunday morning, but whenever we need to be reminded of our relationship with God and the world.
The message today and for several weeks to follow will encourage you to pray like Jesus taught us to pray. Such prayers remember to whom we are speaking. They seek God's will rather than God's blessing. They focus, not on our needs, but on the needs of the world. Such prayers change the world by changing us.
I invite you to reconsider the Prayer of Jesus. I cannot assure you that if you pray it that you will be blessed materially. I cannot promise you expanded prosperity, power and influence. I cannot guarantee you a life free from struggle and pain. Neither has Jesus promised you those things. If you expect such results, you are thinking more of magic than you are prayer. If you are only interested in what you want and what you can get from prayer, I have nothing to offer you.
But if you are tired of asking for what does not satisfy, seeking what fails to fill your real needs, and knocking at doors that never open. I encourage you to sit quietly and listen to one who has, according to Peter, "the Words of eternal life." That person is Jesus. Jesus never offered gimmicks or formulas. He simply said we should pray something like this:
Our father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
Amen
Praying like Jesus offers far more than prosperity. When prayed with sincerity, it cleanses our hearts of self-righteousness and strips our motives of self-interest. It challenges the false and inappropriate ways we approach God and each other. It reminds us of what we forget so easily - our proper relationship to God and the world.
Praying like Jesus reminds to whom we are speaking. God is not hostile. Prayer is not persuading an indifferent Lord, or manipulating an obstinate master, or lobbying a reluctant ruler, or pleading with a stingy boss. Prayer is climbing into the lap of a parent who knows what we need before we ask. God loves us and can be trusted to meet our needs.
Praying like Jesus reminds us of our responsibility as children of God. God is not distant. God is at work in the world. Prayer is not listing our complaints, requests, and demands. Prayer is setting those lists aside and humbly seeking ways to establish God's kingdom and do God's will. It is a pledge rather than a petition.
Praying like Jesus reminds us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and that we are a part of all of humanity. God is equally concerned for every person. Prayer is not trying to get a bigger piece of the pie. Prayer is an opportunity for God to teach us how to love and live unselfishly. We are blessed in order to be a blessing.
Praying like Jesus reminds us of our need to be forgiven and to offer forgiveness to others. God offers and expects grace. Prayer longs to restore a proper relationship with God and our fellow man.
Finally, praying like Jesus reminds us of the temptation to trust in riches and depend on material blessings. The children of God need not seek security in stocks and bonds. Our treasure is in heaven. Prayer acknowledges our dependence upon God and our need for deliverance from the seduction of silver and the greed for gold.
Prayer is not about me. Prayer is about God!
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