Saturday 15 February 2025
".. For your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (v. 8)
Background
Jesus is talking about how to pray.
I believe there is little to say and little to do in prayer other than to pause, be still and hold before God the cares and concerns you carry. You can name your concerns and hold them before God. That is enough and God 'who knows what you need before you ask’ will answer.
There is, however, a deeply important point to remember. Our prayers are offered to God which, put simply, means we are seeking for God’s will to be done – and that may vary from ours. Be sure, though, that God hears and will answer every prayer offered – in God’s way and in God’s perfect time. The answer to our prayers may be ‘yes, or ‘no’ and often it will be ‘wait'.
The passage before us today makes it clear that we are called to be praying people, following the example of Jesus. If you carry on reading Matthew 6 you'll see that Jesus offers a pattern for our prayers. We call it the Lord’s Prayer and it says everything necessary hinging on a vitally important understanding: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Listen:
You can listen to the Lord’s Prayer, set to music by Joseph Lees.
To Ponder:
- Where do you find yourself able to listen for God?
- What is your best form of prayer?
- Try to practise stopping, waiting and listening before entering into prayer.
Prayer
Lord, here I am and here you are. Grant that in stopping I may sense your presence, in waiting I may find peace, and in listening I may even hear your voice. For your glory’s sake, Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Andy Fyall
The Revd Andy Fyall is Chair of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District.