As I began studying the scripture for my sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer, I read several commentaries. Several of the books belonged to my mother and had notes written during her study and teaching. I always love finding these inspirations from the past from my parents. I treasured faith conversations with them in life, and these accidental discoveries always bring great blessing. It brings heaven a little closer for a moment. As it is also relevant for the sermon series, I thought I would share a bit of one of the notes from my mother to share her quiet wisdom and faithfulness.
“Presuppositions about Prayer – by Edith Love Young
1. Prayer is answered – some time, some way. Scripture confirms this.
2. Prayer changes – individuals, yes, but also events, circumstances, history.
3. Prayer is grounded in God – sinful humanity cannot bring to bear upon God any promise, pressure, or threat to force God to answer. God answers by God’s own obligation and by Christ’s redemption!
4. Prayer is the Christian’s business – an obligation as necessary as breathing.
5. Prayer has no substitute – it is the power behind all Christian endeavor.
6. Prayer is absolutely necessary. It is the way we can talk to God. We would seize any chance to speak to
a world leader, celebrity, athlete, star – why not THIS chance to talk to God?
7. Prayer is power.
8. Prayer is not burdensome, dull, or difficult.
9. Prayer is work. Discipline, practice, determination to use powerful tool given by God.
10. Prayer is God-Centered.”
There were lots of other notes, but these were the ones easiest to share. As a note to those who have taken a class with me, there were dates in the margins for when my mother taught this class on the Lord’s prayer. For the five verses of the Lord’s prayer, my mother taught twelve lessons over four months. I guess the apple didn’t fall very far from the tree. I may have trouble keeping to just five sermons.