Daily Devotional By Reid Morgan October 25, 2014 “…one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” Luke 11:1 Have you ever wondered just which disciple asked Jesus this question? I have. I know that it really makes no difference but given what we know about those closest to Jesus I can see some agendas in that very simple and yet complex question. Was it Peter? I can see him asking the question simply because he was the most impetuous of them all. Who else jumped out of a boat in the middle of a raging storm but Peter? Maybe it was James or John. Perhaps they thought that gaining the answer would help solidify their future request to be the right and left hand man of Jesus. Remember that place at the throne of wood and nails was for others. Then there’s Judas. I imagine that he just wanted to get folk preoccupied so that he could plot whatever mischief he was to be about. Interesting stuff to consider, but I digress. I wonder how John’s disciples prayed. Apparently what they did was appealing to the twelve because a spokesman asked Jesus to teach them that manner of praying. I presume that they prayed throughout the day, as was the custom. I wonder if part of that was the Shema, which observant Jews are to pray twice a day, “Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deut 6:4) But they would have known that. Had John devised some “new” form of praying daily that was so unique, so compelling, that Jesus’ followers just couldn’t stand it. Well I don’t know. All I know, based on the question, they were looking for something new and fresh. And so the question, followed by this answer; “’ When you pray say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.’” That’s it. As I contemplate this instruction concerning the method and verbiage of prayer I wonder why we decided to change it. I know the bones of the prayer are present today but we, the “church” in council have added so much. One of the additions, the part that talks about who proceeded from whom, is such a point of contention, that it continues to drive a wedge between the Western and Eastern braches of the faith to this very day. I don’t think that the Lord’s Prayer was intended to do that. We have built up deeply meaningful words and forms of prayer since Jesus answered this question. I love those words and forms and I find in them a grounding and closeness to the Triune God that we worship. Yet I wonder how it might be if I simply prayed the words attributed to Jesus in the passage from Luke. Maybe I’ll give it a try and see what happens. How about you? Peace, Fr. Reid
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 16:37:36 +0000
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