- Dec 11, 2015
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 16, 2021
Is there anything spiritual leaders are asked to do more than pray in public? And our prayers are requested for everything from birthday
celebrations and baby dedications to golf tournaments and new
building dedications! What universal template can we safely follow when calling upon God? Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, CEV, reveals eight qualities from Jesus’ public prayer style. While God-and-Me prayer is more essential to the life of individual Christians, in this passage Jesus refers to “meeting places” and “street corners,” so His sample is a public prayer. It’s even a prescription you might say, because the Lord said…
“You should pray like this…” [V9]
1. “Our Father in heaven…” [V9]
Pour out your heart! “Our Father” is equivalent to, “Ohh Dad!” Christ almost gushes! Those gathered for your event may be in paint-spattered work bee attire or gowns and tuxedoes. The occasion doesn’t determine how open you can be with your Best Friend. When we say, “Dear…” He’s immediately interested! No chapter is too dark for Him to join. If you’re praying with a husband-and-wife over a discovered affair, sing-song platitudinous platform tones don’t get it! Frankly, they never do! Pour your heart out to that couple’s tender merciful Father. If the event is one for rejoicing, pray that way. Jesus was fervent. Pray fervently.
2. "Give us our food for today…” [V11]
Pray for daily needs. Jesus prayed for daily needs. Whatever the occasion you’re called to pray for, there are practical needs we need to take to God. Prayer is about real life. Keep it real. These everyday needs may bring a solemn occasion “back to earth,” but resist being humorous inside a prayer. Sermon illustrations are different. Keep your congregation awake, with you, and coming back. A humorous comment referring back to your prayer might work. But, while there could be an exception, the longer you think about it, isn’t a prayer that’s funny just a joke?
3. "Help us to honor Your name.” [V9]
Offload the Burden. Here, Christ prays publicly for the core of His mission. Anyone entering that corporate prayer with the Savior knew He was seeking comfort & joy in communion with His Father. When invited to pray over a looming project or daunting challenge, offload the group’s burden onto God Who says, “Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
4. "Forgive us for doing wrong as we forgive others.”
Admit Sinfulness. Ask for mercy. Help the group quit pretending. When they feel their need of help from Him, God “will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” (Isaiah 44:3) Be sure your prayer includes a spirit of love and forgiveness for others. That’s a condition for your group’s forgiveness.
5. “So that everyone on earth will obey you…” [Vs 10]
Express trust. Even if your prayer is one in a pretty long line of petitions, pray with trust. Here, Jesus prays for a future fulfillment coming in the New Earth. Our prayers should express confident faith in God’s promises, even if right now we’re waiting to see them come true. Kingdom Growth, the Holy Spirit’s fall, an influx of young adults, a completed building project, all require trusting prayers.
6. “Come and set up Your kingdom…Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.” [Vss 10,13]
Pray anytime anyplace. This is especially true of private prayer. But, be bold about prayer in public, too. “Come, set up Your kingdom…” is Christ asking His Father to guide His ministry. Similarly, pray with your people about their work. Pray in their offices. They need business guidance from above! Pray with people on the sidewalk. Pray in the hospital hallway. Pray with someone in arm-to-arm combat with Satan and addiction! Echo Jesus’ “Keep us from being tempted…” Pray anytime anyplace.
7. “As you are obeyed in heaven.” [Vs 10]
Praise God. In His prayer, Jesus refers to the heavenly adoration given His Father. Our prayers should praise Him, describe Him, and depict Him. When our prayers sound like our Master Mentor’s, they’ll speak of the Father’s Love.
8. “When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who…talk on and on…” [Vss 5-7]
Don’t go long. You’ll be praying to yourself! In this blog’s headline I promise “Tons of stories of His Kingdom triumphs & My fiascos.” Well, here comes one of the latter variety. Recently, I worked very
hard on a prayer for the opening of my Hospital’s new wing. We were hosting a Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with the Mayor, Councilmen, U.S. Representative, and business leadership of the whole community. After 5 hours of word massage I had something I was proud to pray. That "P-Word" was the problem! Hot off the
printer, Ihad just enough time to dress and time it. then, my crisis was apparent! It was eight minutes of beautiful prose. But, beautiful is not the same as appropriate. Without time to edit,I even asked a couple spiritual leaders what they thought I should do. they made a bad choice too easy for me by saying, "Go for it!" I DID, embarrassing my Lord, my Church, my Boss, and myself. After Christ got my head humble, I presented my self to the CEO "so he could fire me." Like the Lord he and I serve together, his face beamed grace. But, he did make sure he could count on me never repeating my mistake. Longest of five speaking parts, the only thing on the program lengthier than my prayer was the time given our guests for eating. How could I? Rookie preachers know better! I should have mimicked my Mentor. Jesus' prayer goes 55 words. Mine had 8798! Don't go long!
1. Which of Jesus' eight prayer principles are in your prayers consistently?
2. Which would you like to embed in your talks with God in behalf of a public group?
3. Do you pray written public prayers?
Your friend,
Dave