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OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN (1 OF 2)
by Marion Clark
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15
This content is part of a series.
Our Father, Who Art in Heaven (1 of 2)
Series: The Lord's Prayer
Marion Clark
Matthew 6:5-15
Introduction
It may surprise you that my daily prayer life has not been strong, certainly not something to emulate. I say it may surprise you given my pastoral prayers for Sunday worship. Throughout the years I have received as much positive feedback for my prayers as for anything else. People have been moved by my prayers. I know of one person for whom they led him to the Lord.
And without conceit I can say that I also am moved by my prayers. I do not plan them. At the most I make notes for petitions I do not want to forget. Typically, I do not know what I am going to say until I walk up to the pulpit and begin praying.
I think I know why I am able to pray more effectively publicly than I do in private. Praying out loud gives me focus. Praying silently, my mind is continually distracted. I think about a movie I saw the night before. I wonder what's for lunch. I am reminded of an errand I need to perform. Praying out loud keeps my mind from wandering about.
You might also notice that my pastoral prayer has structure. I will start off with praise and thanksgiving. The hymn we have sung prior often gives me a lead into what the praise will be about. In a previous church, we read a psalm before the pastoral prayer, and that always provided my lead in. From the praise, which might take up half the prayer, I move to confession, then to praying for the world and for the work of God's kingdom out in the world. I will next turn to our church, finally praying for us who are in the sanctuary. For the ending, I will pray for the sermon to soon be preached, and, because the offering immediately follows the prayer, I will close with praying for its kingdom use. Having this structure also serves to keep my mind focused.
You might think that I would then have a similar structure for my prayer life. I have tried to do so but keeping my wandering thoughts in line st ...
Series: The Lord's Prayer
Marion Clark
Matthew 6:5-15
Introduction
It may surprise you that my daily prayer life has not been strong, certainly not something to emulate. I say it may surprise you given my pastoral prayers for Sunday worship. Throughout the years I have received as much positive feedback for my prayers as for anything else. People have been moved by my prayers. I know of one person for whom they led him to the Lord.
And without conceit I can say that I also am moved by my prayers. I do not plan them. At the most I make notes for petitions I do not want to forget. Typically, I do not know what I am going to say until I walk up to the pulpit and begin praying.
I think I know why I am able to pray more effectively publicly than I do in private. Praying out loud gives me focus. Praying silently, my mind is continually distracted. I think about a movie I saw the night before. I wonder what's for lunch. I am reminded of an errand I need to perform. Praying out loud keeps my mind from wandering about.
You might also notice that my pastoral prayer has structure. I will start off with praise and thanksgiving. The hymn we have sung prior often gives me a lead into what the praise will be about. In a previous church, we read a psalm before the pastoral prayer, and that always provided my lead in. From the praise, which might take up half the prayer, I move to confession, then to praying for the world and for the work of God's kingdom out in the world. I will next turn to our church, finally praying for us who are in the sanctuary. For the ending, I will pray for the sermon to soon be preached, and, because the offering immediately follows the prayer, I will close with praying for its kingdom use. Having this structure also serves to keep my mind focused.
You might think that I would then have a similar structure for my prayer life. I have tried to do so but keeping my wandering thoughts in line st ...
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