November 5, 2023 "Letting Prayer Form How We See Others"

ReNew Ames Messages

What is prayer? Do we have an adequate definition? If we're honest, prayer is kinda hard to define. Jesus never gives us a definition, but he does give us a prayer. The one we find in Luke is the shorter version of The Lord's Prayer. Some of us know this prayer so well that we can say it without thinking about it. Like brushing our teeth, or putting on a seat belt. But some things are meant to be thought through while we're doing them. Like this prayer. Many have said before - and I agree - we should call this The Disciples' Prayer. This is our prayer. Jesus entrusted it to us. It's his gift to us. It's a prayer that gives us a center - and it's a prayer that will form us into people who look like Jesus. Gives us a center - God is that center, God's reign in this world is that center. With a proper center we realize that our little lives are important to God. With a center, we realize that our lives are part of something much bigger than just ourselves - we're praying for God's kingdom to come - we're involved in what God is doing in the world. Forms us into people who look like Jesus. We pray for daily bread - the basic stuff of life. Then when we look up from our prayer, we notice that there are some in this world who don't have the basic stuff of life. So we have to do something about that. We can't pray this prayer with integrity if we don't do something about that. Forgive us - we ask for forgiveness so that we can then extend forgiveness in this world. Lead us not into temptation - we are reminded about all the things that draw us away from God and avoid them. These things form us into people who look and act and love like Jesus. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Luke 11:1-13 http://bible.com/events/49164877