[Propertalk] Sermon for Ash Wednesday , "And When You Pray" - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

[Joe Parrish]

Sermon for Ash Wednesday
 
         "And When You Pray" - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
 
Jesus taught his disciples, saying: And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)
 
Prayer -- just the word elicits a wide variety of responses and feelings.
 
Everything from the most pious of responses to the most piteous of excuses, the concept and practice of prayer has evoked much writing and discussion in Christian circles down through the ages. Most of us would profess fairly easily that we believe prayer is important. Most of us would have to confess, perhaps not so easily, that we do not pray as we should.
 
As we begin our Lenten pilgrimage this day, let us begin with prayer. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. Let us begin where Jesus always seemed to begin every venture and effort, with prayer. It is one of the Lenten disciplines espoused by the religious for years. But it is more than just a discipline. So let us take some time, as we begin our Lent, to explore what prayer is, or is not.
 
Part of the problem, I suspect, about our failure to pray more frequently is our feeling uncomfortable in prayer. We don't seem to know "how to" pray.  And because we get all hung up in the "how to" part, feeling inadequate for the task, embarrassed by the act, unable to address God as we feel we should, many of us simply don't. We don't pray.
 
Well, let's lay to rest the "how to" part right away. I found a wonderful poem that will help us put that issue into its right perspective. Listen to "Cyrus Brown's Prayer" by Sam Walter Foss:
 
"The proper way for man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude,
Is down upon his knees."
 
"No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Reverend Dr. Wise,
"Is standing straight with outstretched arms, 
And rapt and upturned eyes."
 
"Oh, no, no, no!" said Elder Slow,
"Such posture is too proud;
A man should pray with eyes fast closed, 
And head contritely bowed."
 
"It seems to me his hands should be
Austerely clasped in front.
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,"
 
Said Reverend Dr. Blunt.
"Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well
Head first," said Cyrus Brown.
"With both my heels a-stickin' up,
My head a-pointin' down;
"An' I made a prayer right then an' there...
 
The rest of this sermon and many additional illustrations and sermons for the Ash Wednesday can be accessed at www.Sermons.com.
 


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