“Proper Prayer Results in the ‘Ford-Has-A-Better-Idea’ Light Coming On”
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
Dear fellow praying Believers in Jesus, grace, mercy, and peace
from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. [Amen.]
“In holy conversation We speak to God in prayer,
And at His invitation Our deepest thoughts we share.
We come, His will obeying, As children bringing needs;
And to support our praying, His Spirit intercedes.”
(Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
772:1)
Gospel
Reading.........................................................................
St. John 16:23-24 & 29-30
23[Jesus said:] “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to
you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full. 29His disciples said, “Ah, now you are
speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30Now we know that you
know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we
believe that you came from God.”
Prologue: I’m sure you noticed [and will notice] that today’s
three Scripture Readings along with the Introit, Collect, and sermon hymn
[as well as the four Holy Communion hymns] all have the common theme of
“prayer.” They thereby afford us the opportunity to review that very
important, significant, and beneficial blessing God has given us for
communicating with Him.
In short, prayer is first and foremost God speaking to us His good
gifts of forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life with Himself in
heaven all of which Jesus gained for us with His holy life, innocent
suffering, sacrificial death, and majestic resurrection from the dead … and
by all of which He defeated sin, Satan, and death itself, and gives us the
comforting guarantee of such. He does so in His Holy Word, the Blessed
Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, and the declaration of Holy
Absolution … oh, and with today’s other hymns as well. In fact, the entire
historic liturgy does just that, it tells us what God has done and continues
to be doing for us and to us. We then show forth our Spirit-given faith in
Jesus by prayerfully “ask[ing] for everything that tends to the glory of God
and to our own and our neighbor’s welfare, both spiritual and bodily
blessings. We [also do so by] praise[ing] and thank[ing] God for who He is
and what He has done.” (Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation.
Copyright © 1986, 1991 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Page
176.)
Consider this historic anecdote. In a news story published by
Thomson Reuters on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, titled “Ford marks turnaround
juncture with new slogan,” Bernie Woodall wrote: “A history of Ford Motor Co
could be told with the succession of slogans it has used over the decades -
some remembered within the company as rallying cries, some more as punch
lines. In the late 1960s, Ford tried to rally baby boomers around the
slogan, ‘Ford has a better idea,’ using the image of a lightbulb to signal
inspiration instead of the ‘o’ in Ford.”
That reminds many of us aging people of a slogan that’s probably
etched into our memories until the day we die. Not only was the slogan
itself captivating but the visual image of a lightbulb igniting to bright
life was seen by countless many of us post-World War II baby boomers who
were mesmerized by that coming-of-age entertainment machine called
“television.” Although it was still dominated by black-and-white images,
the frontier of color was appearing on the horizon which increased the
effect of the visual impact of that lightbulb erupting to life!
Puzzled confusion had its grip on the disciples. They were
somewhat like the Three Stooges in one of their many classic comedy
routines … stumbling around (very carefully and intricately choreographed,
by the way), bumping into each other in what seemed to be bumbling idiotic
stupidity. Although Jesus had tutored them for three years with His
instructive words and miraculous actions, they still had difficulty
understanding the meaning of His message, especially as it pertained to His
soon-to-be crucifixion death and glorious resurrection back to life.
Perhaps in order to shock His disciples out of their confusion,
Jesus sternly said: “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly,
I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to
you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.” (St John 16:23-24 ESV) That prophetic
warning pointed the disciples to the post-resurrection outpouring of the
Holy Spirit on Pentecost. They then underwent a change of heart, and
following some additional divine admonition they proclaimed: “Ah, now you
are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you
know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we
believe that you came from God.” (St John 16:29-30 ESV) You see, “In the
day of the disciples’ joy, beginning at the resurrection of Jesus, they
would not have to ask him for any information. Then the pieces of the
puzzle would fit together, and they’d see the big picture. When Jesus would
send the Spirit, as he promised, the disciples would understand all the
details as well.” (Gary P. Baumler in People’s Bible Commentary: John.
Copyright © 1997 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Page 218.)
They then came to realize that …
“Proper Prayer Results in the ‘Ford-Has-A-Better-Idea’ Light Coming On.”
Does that “proper prayer” wording bother you … maybe make you feel
a bit uncomfortable? Does it make you question whether or not your prayers
are proper? In order to knowledgably answer such probing questions, it’s
essential to realize that “proper prayer” is prayer that is prayed “A. in
the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in Him as our Redeemer; B. with
confidence, that is with firm trust that for Jesus’ sake our prayers will be
answered; [and] C. according to God’s will.” (Luther’s Small Catechism with
Explanation. Pages 176f.) That simply reminds us that “all true Christian
prayer is offered in Jesus’ name, which means according to his promise,
consistent with his Word and will, [and] trusting his good purpose in our
lives. Jesus secures our joy for us, and we experience the fullness of that
joy when our lives are in harmony with him. An active prayer life is
evidence of that harmony, and the Father’s answers increase our joy. It all
centers around Jesus’ name as revealed to us in his Word.” (Gary Baumler.
Page 219.)
So, with all that in mind let’s first consider …
I. Jesus’ Teaching Methodology. (25)
25“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming
when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you
plainly about the Father.”
Jesus employed parables, paradoxes, ironies, oxymorons,
hyperboles, obscurities, and many other teaching methodologies. Why?
Simply because in His divine omniscience He knew that “the time was
premature to reveal everything in direct terms. The disciples had to wait
until Jesus actually completed his mission.” (Ibid.) However, that time was
very close at hand, for His crucifixion and resurrection were very near.
After the disciples witnessed those pinnacle events in their and our Master’s
work of redemption, they would then have the context to understand what He
had been telling them … even as we also do today!
In fact, not only would they have deeper understanding of Christ’s
pre-crucifixion instructions, but they would then more fully realize His
eternal heavenly origin. As a result, they would “begin to pray in the name
of Jesus, as he had indicated” (Ibid. Page 220.) even as we do today.
After all, they would then, even as we do today, more fully comprehend …
II. Jesus’ Identity and Mission. (26-28)
“26In that day you will ask in my name and I do not say to you that I will
ask the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father himself loves you, because
you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the
Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and
going to the Father.”
Knowing who Jesus is, namely, the divine Son of God and human son
of Mary; and His mission, namely, to take “[our] place under God’s judgment
against sin” and redeem “[us] and all people” (Luther’s Small Catechism with
Explanation. Pages 136f.) are the foundations of our faith in Him as Lord
and Savior. Oswald Chambers wrote about this: “Our Lord does not mean that
our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but
that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by
Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit [that we
receive in the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Baptism], so that He can reveal the
teachings of God to us.” Further, “Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure
in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness
of [our] baptism … can be lifted into that relationship—‘… that they may be
one just as We are one …’ (John 17:22).” And finally, “Jesus said that
because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a
great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the
resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He
has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful
position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in
Jesus’ name—in His nature.” (Oswald Chambers [edited by James Reimann] in My
Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition In Today’s Language. Copyright ©
by Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd. May 29.)
Knowing who Jesus is, namely, the Christ, that is, the Messiah
“anointed without limit to be our Prophet, Priest, and King” and “[our] only
Savior from sin, death, and the devil … [who] gives [us] eternal life”
(Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. Pages 120f.) and His
accomplished mission, namely, “A. He took [our] guilt and punishment upon
Himself. [and] B. He freed [us] from the slavery of sin.” gives us the
absolute certainty that “the devil can no longer accuse [us] of [our] sins,
and we can [by the Holy Spirit’s power] resist his temptations.” (Ibid.
Pages 134f.) By having been baptized into Jesus, His name and His
accomplished mission are now our name and accomplished mission.
It’s interesting that “The Bishop [said] to wayward Augustine’s
mother, Monica: ‘Go on praying; the child of so many prayers cannot perish.’”
and “G. S. Bowes [said]: ‘A holy boldness, a chastened familiarity, is the
true spirit of right prayer. It was said of Luther that, when he prayed, it
was with as much reverence as if he were praying to an infinite God and with
as much familiarity as if he were speaking to his nearest friend.’”
(Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations compiled by David F. Burgess.
Copyright ©1988 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Pages 157f.)
All of that is to ultimately say that …
“Proper Prayer Results in the ‘Ford-Has-A-Better-Idea’ Light Coming On.”
I mentioned earlier that today’s Introit, Collect, and Scripture
Readings all have the unifying theme of prayer. The author of today’s
Introit wrote: “I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my
tongue. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my
prayer. Blessèd be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed
his steadfast love from me!” (Ps 66:17, 19-20 ESV) The Old Testament
Reading revealed: “And the people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned,
for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that
he take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people.” (Num
21:7 ESV) And, the apostle Paul stated in today’s Epistle Reading: “First
of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high
positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified
in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our
Savior … .” (1 Tim 1:1-3 ESV)
As we take all that to heart and strive to become ever more
active, vigilant, and faithful in our personal prayer lives, let’s do so
remembering …
I. Jesus’ Teaching Methodology. (25) and …
II. Jesus’ Identity and Mission. (26-28)
Then let’s also incorporate into our personal prayer lives the
petition in today’s Collect that said: “O God, the giver of all that is
good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are
right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them.”
God grant it all for the sake of Jesus Christ, His humble Son, our
holy Savior. [Amen.]
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
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