Perspectives

Matthew 6:9-13… 9) In this manner, therefore, pray, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11) Give us this day our daily bread. 12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (NKJV)

How important is prayer in our lives? Is it fair to say that as a Christian we should rate prayer as one of the most important priorities in the life of every believer as well as all peoples in our country? As Christians, we believe that prayer is even greater than many of the good works we do. If we make prayer an important part of our family life we will surround our homes with a wall of protection that is stronger than the evil we encounter. Do you think that fathers and mothers should set the example in the home so that it becomes a house of prayer?

I wonder sometimes whether parents, and fathers especially, know the importance of their role… When the children are very young, before they even start school, their character, and personalities have been shaped by the mother and father in the home. Our own memories of our childhood years, tell us that it is so. I can still remember the pain, the doubts and unhappy worries that I experienced. I often wondered if there was anybody that loved me. And I believe that young people … and I mean the very young too… really want to know if they are loved. After all, just as we, older folks want to trust people we connect with, younger people search for someone or somebody that can be trusted and that will try to understand them; and family prayer time can fill part of that need.

Consider the example of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6. Here we have his disciples asking Christ to teach them how to pray. Jesus had set an example of the importance of prayer to his disciples because of his own need to pray to the Heavenly Father. Sensing this need, the disciples wanted Christ to fill the needs in their lives; and so he taught them… what we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer”. This prayer involves the Heavenly Father in the affairs of a family that is united. The Holy SpiritS confirms to our soul and spirit, the love that comes down to us from the Heavenly Father; and our hearts and minds are strengthened by the love and patience we experience in this relationship. No other faith in the entire world that I know of conveys that kind of love and devotion between God and His children/family.

Just as Jesus taught his disciples to pray, I believe he expects us to teach one another in ways that are helpful. I have, over the years, learned a few ways to do just that. This small prayer guide might not be new to you, but to some it might be… Our hand has a thumb and four fingers. And you can say that each finger and thumb has a meaning…

Look at your thumb: it is the nearest to us; and it can remind us of those who are closest to us, sisters, brothers, parents, co-workers and many others that pop into your mind momentarily… The second finger: we use it for pointing; we must use wisdom when we point it at someone. I used to have a dog, and if I pointed my finger at him; that dog would get agitated, he did not like it one bit. I think he was trying to tell me, either point it somewhere else, or he would shorten it.

Maybe I must remember, when I point my finger, I should always point it with the idea to give credit to someone who has taught me something of value, those who have cared for us in hospitals, those who keep us safe… The third finger: this is an interesting one; it is after all the longest, or the tallest, and perhaps it should stand for all leaders, pastors, the church body and others that are special to us… Now the fourth finger: well we know that is the weakest one on our hand; having said that, maybe we should think of all the poor, all those who are distressed and in pain, all those who are suffering physically… That leaves us with the little finger: it is the smallest and the least important; do you think it would be proper for us to say that it should stand for everybody…To God Be the Glory.

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen