TOGETHER IN HIS PRESENCE: ASKING
Dear Friends,
“Christian prayer is unenlightened, immature, and at best third-class.” This at least, is how many people within the church and in Canada think. To them, some form of wordless, mystic, communion is the “real thing,” and everything else is childish. This all sounds very impressive, very spiritual, religious, and inclusive, but for a Christian, it is merely that, religious and spiritual, but not biblical. It is easy to be intimidated by the mystic claims and accomplishments of others, but it is good for Christians to choose what is weak and powerless in the eyes of the world (but biblical) rather than what is powerful and wise in the eyes of the world (see 1 Corinthains 1:18-31 and Colossians 2:6-23). In fact, the biblical teaching is wise, wiser than the world.
You must face an inconvenient truth - you are not an angel and never will be an angel. To imagine that the “highest”, most “mature,” type of prayer is some “spiritual” union which transcends your “you”, your embodied existence, is to be deluded by pride. You set yourself up for failure and disappointment. The biblical teaching on prayer is wise. It is realistic and hopeful about who you are in light of the reality of the Triune God and the Gospel. In the Bible, prayer is communion with the Triune God by conversation. The ground for communion with Him is not your efforts, accomplishments, rituals, or “techniques”.
Religion and modern spirituality differ in specifics, but are identical in substance and flow. You begin by living a certain way; then you begin to connect with god; and finally, if you are successful, you achieve union with god. The Gospel turns all this upside down, and warns you about religion. You are told the bad news that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So, living better, and connecting with god better, is a dead end.
Your communion with the Triune God can only be a gift of His grace received by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. So unlike all religion and spirituality, the Gospel begins, continues and ends in grace. The Gospel shaped life begins with communion and union with the Triune God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is out of the gracious “at-one-ment” with the Triune God that you then begin to connect with Him in prayer and then begin to live a gospel-shaped, God glorifying life. You are saved by God to be human, not a spirit. So, as a redeemed creature made in God’s image and redeemed by grace, you begin a new conversation with your Heavenly Father. This talking, is prayer, and a key part of all talking, is making needs known and asking. This is not “lower” or “childish” prayer. It is human. It is redeemed. It is good. Over the last 6 weeks we have been thinking about how Christians are to worship in the local church. Our guide has been a very old (1549) Call to Worship that originated in the English Reformation. Given that right now churches are called to a long season of being a mixture of in-person and on-line worship, (in our case, 8am, 10am and on-line congregations), it is good to reflect on how we can be “together in His presence.” The Call to Worship is a concise theology of not only worship, but of much of a church’s life. Today we are reflecting on “Together in His Presence - Asking.” Once again here is the Call to Worship.
“Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, the Scripture moves us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with a humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same by His infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hands, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His most holy word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me …”
It is a beautiful phrase “and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul.” Four further points.
First, it reminds you to “ask God.” The phrasing is curious. It is easy to unconsciously add the word “for” - “to ask for those things”. The phrase in the Call to Worship allows asking “for,” but it has a bigger picture. All asking is permitted and encouraged. To the Triune God, your honest questions are welcome. To follow Jesus does not mean you have to kiss your brain goodbye and cannot ask Him questions. No, to be human is to have questions. Go ahead and ask the Lord. The phrase also allows for us to ask for things for ourselves or others.
Second, it tells us to ask for what is “requisite and necessary.” Old and odd words, with similar but not identical meanings. The repetition helps you notice what is being said, but the difference is also significant. “Requisite” implies there is some purpose or end. In Christ, your life has a purpose and a destiny. So when you pray, think about your final end and purpose, not just the needs of the moment or the day. The Westminster Shorter Catechism famously reminds you that “Man’s (and woman’s) chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. In Christ, you are destined to an eternity in the New Heaven and Earth in unhindered and open communion with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and through God, with all of the redeemed. Pray for your life and for others in light of that end. “Necessary” can also have a sense similar to “requisite”, but it also reminds you to pray for what is necessary today and tomorrow. To be human is to be in unending dependence and need - so ask for your needs and for the needs of others.
Third, pray for what is requisite and necessary “as well as for the body as the soul.” Human beings are “embodied souls” or “ensouled bodies.” This is a key feature of being human. You, and all whom you know, have physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, and spiritual needs. Your church and family, your city and nation, the nations and people groups of the world all likewise have physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, and spiritual needs - ask for what is necessary and requisite for each.
Finally, pray for all who call the Church of the Messiah their church home, including staff, leaders, council and me. We are three congregations, but one church. It is a good and God pleasing thing for you to ask for all who call Messiah their spiritual home. Pray that we lift Jesus high in our city and to the ends of the earth. Pray that the Lord will use us to make disciples of Jesus gripped by the Gospel and living for God’s glory. Thank you for praying.
George+
