Many in the Church are skeptical of contemplative prayer, thinking that it is too New Agey or mystical in its approach. But Jesus and faithful people throughout the ages have embraced contemplative prayer as a way to achieve deep communion with God. As we continue our series on prayer, we turn our attentions to this very ancient and biblical form of prayer.  

Probably one of the hardest and most incomprehensible things is when Jesus tells in one place to ask what we will of God and then God goes silent…prayers remain unanswered. It is easy for us to question God’s love and care. The important thing is to not confuse God’s silence for God’s absence. God may just be up to something that we have no idea at the moment. Still, there are many things we can learn.  

Prayer is multifaceted. Jesus invites us to pray for ourselves and for others. The first is what we know as petitionary prayer. The second is the intercessory prayer. No matter what the concern or issue, Jesus invites us to come right before the throne of God believing that God hears our prayers and will answer them in His time and in His way.  

This week we celebrated Memorial Day when we remembered those U.S. service members who have selflessly sacrificed their lives for our American Freedom. It’s a cost that we don’t take lightly when those freedoms today seem threatened on a daily basis in our country. In my absence this week, guest preacher and retired Navy chaplain, Rev. Phil King reminded us of the self-sacrificing love first modeled by Jesus Christ. As Christ followers, we each are called to

The Shorter Westminster Catechism asks, “What is our chief end?” The answer is “To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever!” Adoration is the means by which we praise God. But what does that mean exactly and who, how, when, where, why should we praise God? That is the aspect of prayer that we attend to next.  

The Psalms are known as the Prayer Book of the Bible. Indeed, many of these sacred words were on Jesus’ lips and heart during his darkest and most trying moments. Today, we talk about how to pray the psalms like Jesus did. May this jumpstart our own prayers lives as we seek deeper intimacy with the God who revealed himself to us through Jesus Christ.  

When Jesus’ disciples asked how to pray as Jesus prayed, he taught them what Christians have come to know as “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is a simple prayer, that when explored in-depth connects us to Jesus’ intimate relationship he had with God the Father. When we pray it, we join with Christians throughout the ages and around the world, in every nation, tribe, and tongue who confess Jesus is Lord.  

Statistics show that fewer and fewer people in America these days report praying on a daily basis. This is true among faithful Christians as well as religiously unaffiliated people. As we begin our sermon series on Prayer, we ask the question why pray? One would think that if the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to those who believe in Jesus, why wouldn’t we tap into that source of power in our own lives?  

So many things can hold us back from seeing and believing that Jesus has indeed risen from the grave.  Fear?  Grief?  Shame?  What if God were wanting to roll those stones away so that we could live into the fullness of life he intends for each of us today?  Could we believe then?

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem one last time before his crucifixion, people were ready to crown him King of Israel.  But strangely he rode a humble donkey, and not a war-horse stallion as they expected.  This points to the truth that Jesus' kingdom is not one of power and might, but of peace, nonviolence, and humility.  And we who call ourselves by his name, are to walk in that way as well.