Matthew 6: 9-13
What is prayer?
I asked the listeners what is prayer? One of them answered
me, “Prayer is asking God to give you something". Another one said "It’s a silent
communication with God and meditation of His word.” Some said, "Asking GOD what the future
holds.” And I believe that all of their
answers are correct.
Prayer, as we define it from dictionary, is a solemn request
for help or expression of thanks to God. But the delicate and profound meaning
of prayer is to not only ask God about the things we want but instead, to help
us focus mainly on what God wants for us. His heart and His will. There are two
ways on how to approach GOD in prayer.
- 1. Acceptance - ”Thy will be done”
a. Thinking of GOD
b.
Feeling GOD
c.
Plan of GOD
We can see this in the letter of Apostle Paul in his
fellowship and friendship with the Philippians (Phil 1), Colossians (Col.1) and
Ephesians (Ep.ch.1&3). It contains prayer topics that do not focus on
alleviating their sufferings, hardships and persecution. It also does not
contain words that say, “Live a life of pleasure and happiness only” but
instead, Apostle Paul prays for his brothers and sisters to gain spiritual
insights that they may know and understand the glory of God and the
transforming power of faith.
Trials, struggles and hardships are all given in life, no
one is exempt from this, whether you're a believer or not. Rich or poor, old or
young, sick or healthy, everybody will face problems. And these things will either
mold you to be a bitter or better person.
One specific problem that is common in the church of UBF
Philippines is the Father-daughter/son relationship. These fathers were either
abusive or indifferent to their children. And yet we cannot change this reality.
Therefore we can come to our true Father. Problems are given because God loves us. It’s
an internal transformation of our life through the grace of GOD. It will either
make you bitter or into a better child of GOD.
2. JESUS
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he said that,
“Not my will but Your will be done”. Jesus is asking the father to take away
the cup of suffering according to human desire and yet his spiritual desire was
to obey the Father to which he prayed to God for that. It’s hard for Jesus to
accept the will of God, but to His prayer He decided to accept the will of the
Father because he believe that whatever happen God is in control. And the love
of the Father will be magnified and His name be glorified.
Jesus’ obedience to His Father and reveals both his love for
God and for us sinners.
John 14:13-14 says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my
name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for
anything in my name, and I will do it.” This is a promise from Jesus. We cannot
even dare to imitate what Jesus has done to the cross but we can follow him in his
prayer. Just as Jesus depended on his Father for strength, let us depend on Him
to fulfill His will for our lives.
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