VERSE FOR TODAY: When you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans,for they think they will be heard because of their words. Do not be like them, for your Father know what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:7,8, New International. Version).
I still remember the day my father took me to see Mr. Warther. Dad worked in bridge construction. One summer we pulled a trailer to Dover, Ohio, where he was working.
In a small building behind this house, Ernest Warther created scale carving of railroad engines. Carved from ebony, ivory, and sea shell she models were exact to the minutest detail.
A museum in Dover, Ohio, houses Mr. Warther's life's work. But a visit today is not the same as the one I remember when Mr. Warther himself shared with a young, wide-eyed boy the things his mind and carving knife had created.
I often wondered what it was like for the disciple to hear Jesus pray. Did they know how privileged they were to be listening to the Master? He urged them to avoid empty repetition and impressive words and gave them a model that emphasized praise, request, forgiveness, and diverance.
Just as Mr. Warther brought the past to life with his carving knife, Jesus brought prayer to life and life to prayer with His teaching. His model prayer is it intended for display. It is intended to inspire us to deeper understanding and greater mastery of the mystery of prayer.
PRAYER THOUGHTS: Our Father,we want to grow in our practice and understanding of prayer. You already know our needs we need to grow in our practice and understanding of prayer. You already know our needs, but we do need to know You. Teach us to pray as Your Son, Jesus. Prayed. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment