Monday, 28 July 2025
MY NEXT SERMON
I AM PREACHING NEXT ON SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2025 - at ALL SAINTS' PARISH CHURCH, WINTERSLOW, WILTSHIRE - 9.15 a.m.
SERMON 220 - SUNDAY 27 JULY 2025 - TRINITY 6
Sermon at All Saints’ Church, Winterslow, Wiltshire - 6th Sunday after Trinity – Sunday 27 July 2025
Luke
11:1-13
In the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 11, we find a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples.
One of the most profound aspects of Jesus' ministry was His intimate
relationship with His Father, God, and the way He communicated with Him through
prayer. The disciples, witnessing Jesus' powerful connection with God, were
deeply moved by His ability to pray. And so, they ask Him the most important
question they could ask: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). This
request not only reveals the disciples’ longing to connect with God in the way
Jesus did but also opens the door for us to understand the nature of Christian
prayer, its purpose, and its power.
As we explore this passage,
we will dive into Jesus’ teachings on prayer, examine the model He provides,
and reflect on how these truths apply to our own lives today. By the end, I
pray we will all be encouraged and equipped to embrace the power of prayer in
our daily walks with God.
1. The Disciples' Request: "Lord, Teach Us to
Pray"
In verse 1 of Luke 11, we
find the disciples coming to Jesus with a humble request: “Lord, teach us to
pray.” There’s something beautiful in this simple request. The disciples had
already been with Jesus for a time, seen His miracles, heard His teaching, and
witnessed His life of devotion to God. Yet, despite all of this, they
recognized that there was one thing they lacked—an understanding of how to pray
in a way that truly connects them to God.
It’s significant to note
that the disciples didn’t ask Jesus to teach them to heal the sick, raise the
dead, or preach the Kingdom. No, they wanted to learn how to pray because they
saw that His power and authority came from His intimate connection with the
Father through prayer. The power of Jesus’ ministry was not just in the
miracles He performed but in the consistent, deep communion He maintained with
God.
Prayer, in essence, is not
just a religious activity or a duty. It is an invitation into relationship with
the living God. When we ask God to teach us to pray, we are not just asking for
a formula of words but for a deeper, more profound understanding of how to
commune with Him. As Christians, we must acknowledge that prayer is not merely
transactional but relational—it is about drawing near to God’s heart.
2. The Lord's Prayer: A Model for Our Own Prayers
Jesus responds to the
disciples' request by giving them a model of prayer—what we commonly call
"The Lord's Prayer" (Luke 11:2-4). Although this prayer is short, it
is profound and rich with meaning. Let’s break it down:
- "Our Father, who
art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name" (Luke 11:2):
Jesus begins by addressing God as
"Father," which is a revolutionary concept. In Jesus' day, God was
seen as distant and holy, but through Jesus, we are invited into a personal,
familial relationship with God. He is not just the Creator of the universe; He
is our loving Father who desires a close relationship with His children. This
opening phrase is an invitation to approach God with reverence and intimacy,
recognizing both His holiness and His closeness to us.
The phrase "Hallowed be Thy name"
reflects a deep desire for God’s name to be honoured and respected. This is not
just about revering God's name with our words but also in our actions, our
lives, and our hearts. We are called to live in a way that makes God’s name
known and glorified.
- "Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Luke 11:2):
Here, Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s kingdom to
come on earth. The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope.
As Christians, we are called to live in alignment with God’s will and seek to
see His kingdom expand through the preaching of the gospel, acts of love, and
the transformation of society. Our prayer should reflect a longing for God's
will to be done in our lives and the world around us.
This part of the prayer is about aligning our
hearts with God’s purposes, acknowledging that His plan for our lives and the
world is better than anything we could imagine on our own.
- "Give us this day
our daily bread" (Luke
11:3):
Jesus teaches us to ask God for our daily needs.
This is a reminder that God provides for us, not just spiritually, but also
physically. We are to rely on Him for our daily sustenance, acknowledging that
He is the giver of all good gifts. This part of the prayer encourages us to be
dependent on God, trusting Him to provide for both our immediate and long-term
needs.
- "And forgive us
our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us" (Luke 11:4):
Jesus links the forgiveness we seek from God with
the forgiveness we offer to others. This part of the prayer teaches us that our
relationship with God is intricately connected to our relationships with
others. We cannot expect to be forgiven if we are not willing to forgive
others. It’s a call to live in humility and mercy, extending grace to those who
wrong us just as God has extended grace to us.
- "And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Luke 11:4):
Finally, Jesus teaches us to pray for protection
from temptation and evil. This reflects our constant need for God’s guidance
and help in a world full of distractions and spiritual dangers. It’s a plea for
God’s strength to resist temptation and to remain faithful to His will.
3. The Power of Christian Prayer Today
In verses 5-13, Jesus
elaborates on the power and importance of prayer, using two parables: the
parable of the friend at midnight and the parable of the father and the son.
Both emphasize persistence, trust, and the generous nature of God in answering
prayer.
- The Parable of the
Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8):
In this story, a man goes to his friend at
midnight, asking for bread. The friend is reluctant at first, but because of
the man's persistence, he eventually gives him what he needs. Jesus concludes
by saying, “I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread
because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness, he will get up and
give him as much as he needs” (Luke 11:8).
This parable teaches us the power of persistent
prayer. God is not reluctant to answer us, but like the friend in the story, we
must persist in prayer. We are encouraged to approach God boldly, with
confidence that He hears us and will respond. Persistence in prayer is not
about wearing God down, but about showing our dependence on Him and our trust
in His timing.
- The Parable of the
Father and the Son (Luke 11:9-13):
Jesus then uses the example of a father giving good
gifts to his child to illustrate God's generous nature. He says, "If you
then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
Him!" (Luke 11:13). This highlights the idea that God, our Father, is more
willing and able to bless us than even the best earthly fathers.
The greatest gift we can ask for is the Holy
Spirit, who empowers us to live out the Christian life, pray according to God’s
will, and be witnesses of His Kingdom. Prayer is powerful because it aligns our
hearts with God’s will and opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work in and
through us.
4. Practical Implications for Us Today
In light of this passage,
there are several key takeaways that can transform our approach to prayer:
- Prayer is relational,
not transactional. When
we pray, we are not simply asking for things from God. We are entering
into relationship with Him, expressing our trust, dependence, and love.
Let’s approach prayer not just as a request line, a shopping list for want
of a better description, but as a conversation with our Heavenly Father.
- Pray with persistence
and boldness. God
is not annoyed by our requests. He delights in hearing from us, and He
promises to answer our prayers. Persistence in prayer shows that we trust
in His timing and His faithfulness. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep
knocking.
- Align your prayers with
God's will. The
Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to
be done. Our prayers should reflect a desire for God’s purposes to be
fulfilled, not just our own desires.
- Trust in God's
generosity. Just
as a father gives good gifts to his children, God delights in giving good
gifts to us. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift we can receive, and He
empowers us to live the life God has called us to.
Conclusion
In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus
teaches us to pray in a way that acknowledges God’s holiness, seeks His
Kingdom, depends on His provision, offers forgiveness, and requests His
protection. More importantly, He invites us into a deep, personal relationship
with our Father in Heaven through Jesus who came down from heaven and was
crucified so we might be forgiven our sins and enter into a direct relationship
with the Father. As we embrace the power of prayer, let us remember that God is
always ready to listen, always willing to give good gifts, and always working
for our good. May we pray with boldness, persistence, and faith, trusting that
our prayers are heard and that God will answer according to desires and timings
for us – and it is especially important to remember that his timings are not
always our timings.
Finally, Pete Greig, the
founder of 24-7 Prayer Movement has provided a wonderful acronym for a simple
and wonderful way to pray and it’s even easier to remember for it is P-R-A-Y!
P is for Pause – in this busy and noisy
world take time out to pause your life, remember to whom you are addressing
your prayer and give God some of the time from your busy schedule
R is for Rejoice – even if sometimes we
find this hard, reflect and rejoice on all those blessings which God has
already granted us through his creation. It reminds us of who God is and the
enormity and omnipresence in our lives
A is for Ask – only after we have paused
and rejoiced/reflected are our hearts really in the right place. Jesus told us,
his disciples, that ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find.
Be bold in your requests just as the friend in the parable
Y is for Yield – though we might ask for
the most outrageous things in our prayers we must be prepared to yield to his
will and accept his answer – which sometimes for our own sake or because the
time is not quite right might be “no”.
Allow God to
speak to your heart; He wants you to experience the joy of partnering with Him,
to be in a true and loving relationship with Him.
Let us now say
the Lord’s Prayer together :
Our Father etc.
Amen MFB/220/25072025
Tuesday, 15 July 2025
SERMON 219 - SUNDAY 13 JULY 2025 - TRINITY 4
REFLECTION FOR SUNDAY 13 JUNE 2025 – Trinity 4
(West
Dean Morning Worship – Sermon 219)
Luke
10:25-37
Reflections on the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Who Is My Neighbour Today?
In its original context, the parable challenged social prejudices and called for universal compassion beyond cultural and ethnic divides. Today, the question remains relevant: Who is my neighbour in the modern world? As societies have become increasingly interconnected yet often divided by race, religion, nationality, and socio-economic status, this question prompts us to examine how the principle of loving our neighbour can be applied in contemporary life.
Expanding
the Definition of Neighbour
Traditionally, the concept
of neighbour might be confined to people living nearby or those belonging to
the same community or religion. However, Jesus broadens this definition by
illustrating that neighbourliness transcends social barriers. In the modern
era, this can mean many things—reaching out across cultural divides, helping
strangers regardless of background, and recognizing shared humanity in a
globally interconnected world.
For example, consider
refugee crises, global pandemics, and economic inequalities. In each case, the
immediate response to suffering calls for a neighbourly attitude. The person in
need may be thousands of miles away or part of a different social group, yet
compassion and action are demanded of us. The challenge lies in overcoming
indifference and recognizing that our neighbour is anyone in need, regardless
of nationality, race, or circumstance.
Who
Are the Neighbours in Today’s Society?
In a modern context,
neighbours are not just the people living next door—they are individuals
suffering from social injustices, environmental crises, or personal hardship.
For instance, marginalized communities facing systemic discrimination, victims
of natural disasters, and isolated individuals in mental health crises all
exemplify those to whom we are called to be neighbours.
Moreover, in this digital
age, the concept expands even further. Social media exposes us to global
suffering—such as videos of natural disasters, war zones, or poverty. Ignoring
these may be easier than engaging, but the parable reminds us that compassion
should extend online as well as offline. Acts of kindness, advocacy, or raising
awareness can be modern forms of neighbourly love.
Barriers
to Being a Modern Neighbour
Despite the expansive
understanding of the term, several barriers hinder our ability to see everyone
as our neighbour. Indifference, prejudice, fear, and inconvenience often create
boundaries that prevent us from helping others. The priest and Levite in the
parable represent societal figures who might have faced religious or social
obligations not to touch a wounded person, but their avoidance contrasts
sharply with the Samaritan's action.
Similarly, in modern
society, busy schedules, economic self-interest, or polarized ideologies can
hinder acts of mercy. We may feel powerless in the face of large-scale issues
or uncertain about how to help effectively, yet small actions—like listening, volunteering,
donating, or simply offering kindness—embody the essence of neighbourliness.
Practicing
Compassion in the Modern World
Applying the parable today
involves actively seeking out opportunities for mercy and compassion. Churches,
NGOs, community groups, and individuals are called to prioritize empathy and
service. This could mean volunteering at homeless shelters, supporting
refugees, or simply offering a kind word to someone who is struggling.
Furthermore, education plays
a crucial role. Teaching empathy in schools, raising awareness about social
injustices, and fostering intercultural understanding can cultivate a culture
of neighbourliness that extends beyond surface-level charity into genuine
relationships.
The
Power of Small Acts
The parable underscores an
essential truth: the greatest acts of neighbourliness often stem from small,
everyday gestures. In a world overwhelmed with crises, the reminder that even
minor acts—listening to a friend, helping a neighbour, or advocating for
justice—are meaningful is empowering.
For example, in urban
settings, noticing a lonely elderly neighbour or assisting a stranger with
directions exemplifies this principle. Globally, supporting essential workers
or contributing to charitable causes can reflect a broad sense of
neighbourliness.
Conclusion
The Parable of the Good
Samaritan challenges us to broaden our understanding of who our neighbour is in
today's interconnected world. It asks us to transcend cultural, racial, and
social barriers, and to act with mercy towards everyone in need. In a time
fraught with division and prejudice, just as in the time of Jesus, this parable
is as relevant today, if not more so, than then when division and dissent, and
suffering and hardship are seen globally through the eyes of the digital world.
A prayer:
God of
love,
May we always see the world through the
eyes of the Good Samaritan and be filled with your deep compassion. Help us to
be merciful neighbours even when it is inconvenient, when we don’t have time,
or when we have other responsibilities to attend to. Grant us the insight to
see the need in those around us, the wisdom to know how to respond, and the
strength to do so willingly.
We pray for those we might cross the road
to avoid - the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised. Those, who in many
and various ways, have been stripped, beaten and left for dead. We pray for all
who call from us more than we feel we have to give. Open our eyes, that we
might not cross the road from human need.
May our love of you and love of our
neighbour call us to be people of peace and justice in the world. And may we,
like the Good Samaritan, always ‘go and do likewise’.
MFB/219/11072025
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