Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 16:48:12 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Feb. 7); BP: Mt. 6:5-15; RBTTY: Mt. 24:1-28;
February 7 “Our Father”
“After this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father, Who are in Heaven. . .’” Matthew 6:9a
Remembering to Whom we’re praying will aid us in what we’re praying.
“Our Father.”
The disciples had never heard a prayer prefaced in this way before—for Jesus was introducing them to a new dimension of prayer when He used these words. Up until that time, the God of Israel was a “big God,” not a personal One. Thus, the prayers they were used to praying were more formal petitions than they were intimate encounters.
No doubt they were a bit nervous when their Master prayed this way. . .for it seemed almost blasphemous because it seemed to bring God down a bit farther than they were used to (Jn. 5:18). But, thankfully, they didn’t interrupt our Lord and later on would realize the importance of praying in this way.
Yes, beginning our prayers in such a way is both intimate and inclusive. It’s intimate because prayer should be like conversation and communion between a father and his child (Rom. 8:15). Likewise, it’s inclusive because the Heavenly Father is not partial or prejudiced in who approaches His Throne, although He has prescribed the way in which we should do it (Jn. 14:6; Heb. 4:14-16).
The story is told about an encounter between a plantation owner and one of his former slaves during the days of Reconstruction. The landowner and the old black man were talking on the front steps when the white gentleman offered to feed his former worker.
Around to the back of the house they went and shortly thereafter the former boss said, “Let’s bow our heads and give thanks.” Then, he immediately began the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, Who art in Heaven. . .”
The old black man refused to pray with him.
So, the owner said, “Okay, now, pray with me” and started praying again.
Once again, the former slave refused.
Irritated, the landowner said, “If you’re not going to pray with me, I’m not going to give you this food!”
Quietly, the old black man looked at him and said, “Sir, if the Lord was truly OUR Father, you wouldn’t have brought me around to the back of the house.”
Truth comes in strange packages, doesn’t it?
Assuredly it does.
When Jesus began His “Primer in Prayer” this way, He was opening a whole new dimension and understanding of prayer. Although His disciples wouldn’t quite grasp it until after His resurrection, this paved the way for personal communion with God the Father. And, it also reminded them/us that He loves the “whole world” (Jn. 3:16) and not just a chosen few. Amen and amen.
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