A Preview of Sunday's Message at Plymouth Church

"The Difficult Discipline of Prayer"

The last time this Gospel lesson came up as our lectionary reading (Luke 11:1-13), I focused on the Lord's Prayer. In addition to being a "perfect prayer", it is also instructive about the nature of prayer and the pattern of prayer. I had three simple points: 1.Prayer is to the Father. It begins; "Abba" which is best translated "Daddy". It is intimate relationship as a child to a parent. No need for distance or fear to approach the Father. 2.Prayer is about the Father's glory, "Hallowed by thy name." The Father is to be honored by all, and His Kingdom is to be sought above all else. 3.Prayer is about our needs, and we are to think them through and distinguish between our needs and our wants. That's part of the difficult discipline, not only of prayer, but of life itself. "Daily bread, forgiveness, the ability and willingness to be forgiving, the strength to resist temptations. So, that is the pattern of prayer.

But Jesus follows this instruction with a Parable of Prayer, and that's what I would like to focus on briefly in this sermon. To appreciate the story of the midnight caller, we need to picture a one-room peasant's home, such as is still widely found in most Third World Countries. The whole family would have slept in that room, usually on mats on the floor. When the door was bolted shut, no one could get up without disturbing everyone else. So when the midnight caller comes, the harsh sounding words come, "I can't get up to give you anything", which really means, "I won't do it." Is this the picture of God? Is He irritated like a sleepy neighbor when we call on him? Does he have to be badgered or shamed into responding? No, none of the above. The drowsy neighbor does eventually respond because of the "boldness" of the request. But the remainder of the lesson gives us the assurance that God is not a reluctant benefactor. Jesus underlines this point by saying, "If you, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask." The first part of the reading gives a PATTERN OF PRAYER. The last part gives us THE PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER. It is in following the principles that Jesus gives us in this parable that we are unable to nurture in our own lives the difficult discipline of prayer.

Everyone is welcome to join us for this service at 9:45 am at 2717 University Avenue