May 20, 2007 Seventh Sunday of Easter

Pastor Gary E. Benson  -- Text: John 17:20-26

Zumbro Lutheran Congregation, Rochester, Minnesota

 

                             “Prayer is a Verb”

 

It’s a story another pastor told me years ago.  It was this time of year, serving in a rural congregation, the pastor was out in his vehicle driving through the countryside.  As he approached a farm field he, noticed one of his parishioners driving his John Deere tractor planting corn. Wanting to make a connection with the farmer, the pastor got out of his car, walked across the field, and met up with the parishioner.  There, in the middle of the field, the pastor and farmer talked.  In the course of the conversation the farmer said, “Pastor, I really have trouble praying.” 

“Why is that?” the pastor inquired.

“Well, I can’t pray like a pastor. I just can’t pray like you – the words are so hard to come by. What can I do?” 

The pastor said, “I hear what you are saying, and I have heard that comment from others.  Praying,” the pastor related, “is by definition, simply talking to God. So rather than being overly concerned regarding specific words shared, simply talk to God as if you are talking to your John Deere tractor.” 

The farmer responded, “Oh, Pastor, I don’t think God would want to hear how I talk to the tractor!” 

Okay, whatever, but the point the pastor was making is this, prayer it is not about using certain words or phrases, it is about relationship – connecting with God.  That is why I titled the sermon, “Prayer is a Verb.” Prayer is about talking to God, connecting with God, growing and nurturing an active and engaged relationship with God as Creator, Jesus as Savior, and the Holy Spirit – God with us today!

 

Question: What was the first prayer you learned? It was probably a table prayer, or a bed time prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer.  And reality is, we learned the prayers. But the question is, did such enhance a growing and deeper relationship with God – as Creator, Savior, and Spirit, or was it simply memorization? A ritual that did not touch your reality? Truth told, I have asked hundreds of confirmation youth, “Do you, and if you do, when do you pray?”  Their responses: “Oh, at meals sometimes,” or “Before a test.”  Often, in such cases, prayer is not seeking a relationship, but most often a rescue.

 

In our text it was a short time before Jesus was to be arrested and would be on his journey to the cross.  Anticipating being separated from his disciples and knowing the challenges ahead, Jesus, through prayer, prayed for three things: protection, sanctification, and unity.  Protection, that amidst the turmoil the disciples would be safe; secondly, sanctification (to become holy), that the disciples would grow in faith; and unity, that they would remain connected together in Christ.  Such prayer was not about a stagnant relationship, was it? Rather one that was active, vibrant, engaged – yes, connected.  Truth is, when we are not connected, there is no possibility of sustaining and/or growing a relationship.

 

This past Monday night on the news I heard that the military is shutting down the My Space and YouTube websites. From the newscast I sensed a very strong expression of pain by family members/friends who would no longer be able to communicate daily with their loved ones in the military through those sites via photo/video. Such websites had helped to keep relationships active, alive, and engaged, and, without question, without that active communication such relationships will be less.

 

Furthermore, a hymn that underscores what I mean by, “Prayer is a verb” – active and engaging – is the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”  What are the words of truth and invitation?  “Have we trails and temptations? Are there troubles anyway? Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.”  As if to say, “Here I am Lord, connect with me, bless me, empower me.” Again, prayer is about a relationship, an active relationship – God meeting God’s people; God’s people meeting their God.

 

As Jesus prayed for his disciples, he both affirmed his relationship with them, but, also in praying for them, reminded them of “God’s purpose/activity through them.”  And what was that purpose – to make Christ known – to be expressions, witnesses of God’s love in Christ.  As I often repeat, we are created in the image of God, meant to live for God.  Listen to verse 26: Jesus prayed, “I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”  Yes, prayer is about the love of God to us and through us.

 

This past Sunday, as we had two baptisms, I am mindful of the responsibilities that the pastor entrusts the parents with at the time of baptism. Among them, “…that parents (and I quote) nurture their child in prayer and faith.”  Just as in our text, Jesus was on his journey to the darkness of the cross, so also, as a child grows in years and is exposed to the realities of the world, without question the parents’ love is precious, but the spirit of God in and through that child is essential. How else does a child truly know not only who they are, but whose they are – in the good and difficult moments of life?  Therefore, just as Jesus prayed for specific needs regarding his disciples, isn’t that also what we are about, what we pray for and desire of ourselves and for others – that God’s goodness, grace, and mercy meet us/others at the point of our need amidst the crosses we bear or the moments of celebration we are granted.

 

In closing, last Sunday afternoon (recall how windy it was), I saw some children and parents flying kites near our home. I couldn’t help but think of the child who tried to coax her parent to let go of string to let the kite soar. It was then the parent said, “The string that holds the kite down, holds the kite up. If I let go of the string the kite will fall.”

 

Isn’t that the gift of prayer as a verb? It is active, it holds us up, empowers and assures us of our relationship with God in Christ. Thanks be to God, the Christ who holds us up, will never let us down.  As Jesus proclaimed, “You did not choose me, I chose you,” and furthermore, “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

 

To such I say, let us pray in song with gratitude and thanksgiving, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”