Sermonette: Nov. 18, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Prayer. A simple word. Yet, O such a powerful word. The dictionary definition of the word prayer is “a humble request to God.” For us, it doesn't have to be a request to be considered a prayer, although I think that might be the most common usage. I have started out more than one prayer with, “God, it seems like I'm always asking you for something.” Each week when I get to the office I ask for God's help in writing my sermon. I ask for help in discerning what He is telling us in our Holy Scriptures. I ask for help in finding the right words to use in conveying that meaning to those attending worship service. I ask for help with a lot of things.

Nearly every book in the bible mentions the word prayer. In the very first book we have prayer. Abraham and Isaac pray to God. In Exodus, Moses prays to God for assistance in dealing with Pharaoh. All throughout our scriptures we have people praying, asking for forgiveness or asking for guidance, or for whatever reason. It may be a prayer of praise, thanking God for being there for us.

One would think that Jesus, our Savior, wouldn't need to pray. After all, He is God's son. Yet, all throughout the New Testament gospels we see Jesus praying. A lot. Whenever He needed a break from His teaching and preaching and ministering to the people coming to Him for help, He would go off by himself to pray; to spend some time alone with the Father. In Luke Chapter 11, we read of one such occasion. Jesus' disciples had noticed him praying and they asked him to teach them how to pray. Jesus told them, “When you pray, say 'Father, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come ...'” Because it was Jesus who taught them this prayer, and we still pray it today in every worship service; we call it The Lord's Prayer. We pray it at the communion table, we close church meetings with it. Even our children learn it at an early age. In confirmation classes, we go into it more deeply than just merely memorizing it.

If you already have a prayer regimen, great! I urge to continue or even expand on it. If you don't, I have a suggestion to help you get started. I do this with my congregations from time to time. I hope you try it. Twice a day, give three seconds to God. Three seconds! That's not very much to ask. Start each morning, right away when you wake up, with, “Good morning dear Father in Heaven. Thank you for giving me this day. Amen.” Each evening when you go to bed, another three second prayer. “Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for being with me this day. I pray you will watch over me this night. Amen” Do this every day for two weeks. I think you will find that before too long, praying will come automatically to you and you won't have to make it a special effort. Also, before long, your three second prayer will become five seconds, or ten. The actual length won't matter. What does matter is that you are talking to God and he is listening and enjoying every word.

We can pray asking for assistance. In my evening prayer I ask for help in strengthening my faith. I thank Him for giving me the desire to read and study His word. I thank Him for bringing me into His service. I don't know how long my prayers are, I've never timed them. But I know my evening prayer is longer than my morning prayer and those I do during the day.

It is good to pray before our meals. With so many people in this world who struggle every day just to get even one meal, we should be so very thankful for the abundance we have been blessed with so that hunger is not a problem.

We have so many things that we should be thanking God for every day. Just start with those three seconds. The rest will come eventually. If we forget sometimes or just quit for some reason, don't give up. We can always start again.

Simply put, prayer is a good thing. God wants us to come to Him seeking help and guidance. I pray that you will make a conscious effort to include daily visits with God through prayer. I truly believe that eventually, you will find a peace in doing so. Amen.