Notes from Tuesday, September 16, 2003
by Pastor Brian Greene
Text: Luke 11:1, 2 - Now it came to pass, as Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray say: Our Father in heaven"
Notice that the disciples did not ask Jesus to teach them "how" to pray. They asked Jesus to teach them "to" pray. What's the difference? The disciples were Jews. Their very nationality was in itself religious in that the founder of their nation was a man chosen by God, Himself. (Gen. 12:1-3) Therefore coming out of a religious culture, they already knew how to say prayers.
However, they saw a vast difference between people saying prayers and Jesus' prayers. They made their request: Lord, teach us to pray.
The Greek word for "pray" is "pros-eu-chomai." This word can be divided into three parts: Pros = toward; Eu = good (from which the word eulogy is derived); chomai = grace (favor)
Pray means "coming toward good grace". Because the word "good" is derived from the word God, we can see that to "pray" means "to come toward God's grace or favor".
Notice also that Jesus did not begin his prayer by saying, "Our God" or "Our Lord" although God is both God and Lord. He used the word "Father" to describe what our relationship should be with the person to whom our prayers are addressed.
The word "Father" comes from a Greek word meaning "Progenitor". One of the definitions of this word is the word "Source". One of the definitions for the word source is "supply". When we address God as father, we are really making an indication that He is our supplier in heaven. This implies that all that we need will be supplied by a means other than what we can physically see on planet earth. The Apostle Paul stated my God shall supply all your need according to His riches, not on planet earth, but in glory (heaven).
Making the statement "Our Father" is a bold declaration to God, ourselves, and Satan that my source of life is located in heaven ( the spiritual, unseen realm) and not earth (the physical, seen realm). Real prayer will test whether or not "The Father" is a living reality or a theologically religious experience in our lives.
The word "supply" is derived from a Latin word "suppleo" which means the following:
1. Requistion = A formal written request for something needed. One to whom a request is made. (Philippians. 4:6). "God, you are The One to whom I fill out my Requisition!"
2. Recoverer = to get back, (Latin) recupero = regainer,. (Joel 2: 25). God you are the one who helps me to get back, regain, Recover what I've lost.
3. Repairer = to restore to sound condition after damage or injury (Isaiah 58:11, 12). "God, you have the ability to make Repairs to the damaged areas in my life and the lives of others."
4. Recruiter = to replenish, (Latin) h recresco = to grow again. God you are my recruiter. You will Recruit people into my life who can and will held me accomplish the purpose you put me on planet earth to accomplish. Moses needed people to help him build a tabernacle for God. Look at the names in Exodus 31:2, 6:
a. The name Be-zal'e-el means "in the Shadow (protection) of God."
b. The name A-ho'li-ab means "a Father's tent (covering)".
c. The name A-his'a-mach means "My Brother Supports".
My point here is to remind us that God will recruit people into our lives who "got our backs" (protect us) so that His purpose can be accomplished through our lives.