Lent Week 1: Prayer

Jesus teaches us that prayer really is supposed to be simple. The prayer is just 31 words long in its original language.  As author Pete Greig puts it, “Having advocated simplicity in prayer, he modeled it with his short, rhyming prototype that takes about 30 seconds to recite in English and fits in a single tweet.” And as Archbishop Justin Welby says, “the Lord’s prayer is simple enough to be memorized by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole life-time of prayer.”

In the Gospel of Matthew it is recorded that Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Matthew 6:7-8)” Jesus teaches us that we should keep it real when it comes to prayer.

No flowery language or elaborate words are needed when it comes to talking with our friend and savior, Jesus.  Keeping it real with Jesus means that you share with honesty your hearts struggles or desires. In fact, Jacob wrestled with God, Moses whined to God, and Jeremiah ranted at God. If the saints of our Christian story can do it, so can we!

Have you ever felt like God was not listening?  Have you ever felt like giving up on a prayer that you have prayed over and over again?  I know I have.  Jesus teaches us that persistence is necessary!  Jesus says we must always pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1)

Speaking as one who has a hard time with disciplined routine, keeping it up might be the hardest of all.  I know from my own experience, I set up a routine of quiet time with the Lord and many times something happens that disrupts my plans.  Yet, I know that I cannot grow in my relationship with God unless I spend time with God.

Praying the Lord’s prayer can be done many times throughout the day in the simplest of moments. During the pandemic, I began praying the Lords’ prayer as I washed my hands often in the day. This ensured I spent time with God, and it also ensured I washed my hands for 30 seconds!

Keep it simple – Keep it real – and keep it up! God wants to be in relationship with you.