TEACH US TO PRAY

by WAYNE ALCORN

There is a well-known prayer, recorded in the Gospels by both Mathew and Luke. It is usually referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’, but at the risk of being controversial, I’d like to suggest that it could easily be termed ‘The Disciples’ Prayer’.

There are many prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. The longest is found in John 17. But in this moment, He shows His followers how to pray. We are shown how to make requests for the things we need; both the practical and spiritual.

Perhaps the key aspect of the entire prayer, however, is found in the first line: ‘Our Father’. What an amazing concept that Jesus was teaching His disciples: ‘You can talk to Dad, and when you do, you can be confident that He hears you’.

Let’s go to a special moment in the life and times of Jesus’ ministry.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’ (Luke 11:1).

What the disciple was saying is this: ‘Hey, we saw you interacting with the Creator of the universe. Please show us how to connect with Him too.’ Read on:

He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation”’ (Luke 11:2–4). we take a closer look. The original Greek word used here is ‘Abba’. The equivalent word in our modern English is ‘Daddy’. It conveys love and affection, not just strength and power.

The disciples were Jews, and they would have been familiar with many of the names used to address God, such as

• Elohim – God of strength and power

• Jehovah – the eternal and absolute source of everything

• Adonai – lord or master.

But here, to their amazement, was Jesus telling them to call God ‘Father’, ‘Daddy’. That would have blown their minds! It’s an extraordinary concept, but for some people it’s also a distressing one. I wonder what relationship each of the 12 disciples had with their own father and how that affected how they heard what Jesus was telling them?

I love watching a father tenderly embrace his child. That’s a picture of Abba Father: gentle, affirming and protective. That’s the view of God that Jesus was showing His followers: One who is ever present. One who is just, merciful and kind.

He is one whom I can trust. He’s generous, welcoming and forgiving – and He listens to those who call on Him.

In the Biblical records of his earthly ministry, it becomes obvious that Jesus’ purpose was to show us the Father – and the Father’s heart – and bring us home.

WAYNE ALCORN is the ACC National President, and Senior Pastor of Hope Centre.