ARTICLE – 11 December 2016
An elderly, godly Christian lady said that it is the sincere heart that utters a simple and short prayer for Jesus to hear. There is no need for long winded, repetitive prayers like those made by the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. Prayers are not made to impress the human ears. The poor widow at the Temple treasury gave her two very small copper coins for the Temple needs. Jesus declared: “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3-4). Her offering was found acceptable to Jesus and God. Likewise an unadorned and un- pretentious prayer will find favour with God. God sees the heart first then He hears the words spoken. It is to such blessed people that the Prophet Isaiah says: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
There is some resemblance in Jesus’ prayer (disciples prayer) to the fundamental focus in the Jewish Qaddish prayers. The central theme of the Qaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God’s Name. Saying Qaddish refers to the rituals of mourning, and that despite the loss of their loved ones, the mourners praise God first and foremost. Its opening words are inspired by Ezekiel 38:23 – “And so I will show my greatness and my holiness … then they will know that I am the LORD”. To the Jews, Yahweh is all holy – “Blessed is His Name, whose glorious kingdom is forever.” Jesus was a Jew in upbringing and was taught the Word of God (Torah) and learned to uphold the holiness of God. In a similar way He teaches us to start our prayers with adoration and honouring God.
Dr. Whitby from the third century, says this of our Jesus’ prayer. It is His composing and His appointing; it is comprehensive, instructive and concise. It attunes our minds and hearts to God’s holiness and almightiness. It leads us into reverential fear yet with much boldness to address Him as our Abba Father. As we pray, we see His eye upon us with a full view of all our infirmities.
The first three pleadings in the Jesus’ prayer is directed Godward:
- Hallowed the name of God,
- Seek His kingdom to come,
- Seek His will be done earth.
The next three pleadings are manward:
- Give us our daily bread,
- Forgive us our sins,
- Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one.
Psalm 33:13-14 – “From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all of mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth.”
