DAY 24: March 16, 2021 Tuesday of Lent 4- Matthew 6: 5-8
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. – Matthew 6:5-8
My friend Darald’s favorite hymn comes from The Luther Hymnal, “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed. The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast.”
There are two types of prayer. Set or communal prayers are prayers that are well-known, such as the Lord's Prayer, which most Christians will know by heart. These prayers often have significant meaning and importance for Christians and are helpful for our collective worship. In short, they help our focus. With such prayers we keep to the script. They are ordered, organized, well thought out. These are prayers that we can easily remember. They give shape and meaning to our worship life.
Ex-corde prayers, are often referred to as prayers “from the heart.” Here we simply express to God what is on our mind at the moment. They are often unstructured, spontaneous natural. Here we pray unprompted, naturally, addressing God according to our need.
When asked which should be used, Luther’s response was simply “yes!” Using the acronym “ACTS” There are four components to our prayers whether they are formal or informal.
Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
Confession: Honestly deal with the sin in your prayer life.
Thanksgiving: Verbalize what you're grateful for in your life and in the world around you.
Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
You don’t need to impress your neighbor and certainly not God when you pray. Such actions are hypocritical. In Christ you are free. Formal and informal prayers are both useful. But when you pray; pray sincerely and in faith.
O God, with You is the well of life, and in your light, we see light: Quench our thirst with living water, and flood our darkened minds with heavenly light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. [2]
Lord God heavenly Father, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, Your servant Moses proclaimed the resurrection to the children of Israel to give them hope in the midst of their darkness. As we journey to the darkness of the cross, give us hope to look beyond it to the light of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. [3]
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[1] Lost
Sheep copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things
[2]Collect for Tuesday of Lent 4, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[3]
Collect for Tuesday of Lent 4, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
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