Some thoughts on Prayer

Huw Williams | 07:30, 11 September, 2012 | Turin, Italy

Well, we've been back here over a week already. And we seem to have hit the ground running. We so enjoyed seeing family and friends back in the UK that it reminds of us of what we are missing over there, but it's good to be back in Torino and see our friends here too.

On Sunday I preached the first sermon in our new series on prayer, starting in Luke 11. I've been struck all week by how, when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, what his response is. Of course, the famous bit we know – he gives them the Lord's Prayer and after this is where many of our sermons and lessons on prayer stop. After all, why not? There's more than enough to chew on in those few verses. But that is only part of Jesus' answer to their request. The model for our prayers is then followed by two stories (or rather, a story and some uncomfortably graphic images) illustrating the character of God as our heavenly Father. 

Jesus' lesson on prayer is both practical and relational. He seems to be saying that while our prayers would undoubtedly benefit from focus (in particular on the things God is passionate about), we also need to know the kind of Father we are praying to. It's easy to imagine why. If we think we are praying to a tyrant, a kill-joy, a distant or disinterested deity, or a God who is grumpy to be disturbed by our approaching at the wrong time, then of course, we're not going to pray very much, if at all. But if we gain a vision of who our heavenly Father is, if we truly know Him in all His Fatherly goodness, love and generosity, then I believe we will pray. I mean, why wouldn't we?

So doesn't it come down to a rather simple connection? The state of our prayers are a direct indicator of how well we know God. Surely our prayer-lessness is born out of nothing less than doubting His goodness, His love or His passion in being our heavenly Father.