In the Gospel lesson for today, Jesus' disciples ask him to teach them to pray. We're going to explore together some of his teachings, but first, I have some questions for you. First, if someone asked you to teach them how to pray what is the first thing you would say to them them? (Give the congregation time to answer.) Why do you pray? (Give the congregation time to answer.)
     As Jesus answered his disciples, he gave them the words to say, which we've now come to know as the Lord's Prayer. He also taught them about what prayer is. Some of the elements he taught them about prayer include that prayer is about relationship. Prayer is asking God for what we want and need. And prayer is speaking and listening. These elements of prayer are what I would like to explore together today.
     First of all, prayer is about relationship. We understand this in part because of how Jesus tells us to address God: Father. Our Father. The Greek word for Father is Abba, which brings with it even more of a sense of an intimate relationship. Father, in our culture today, is a pretty formal way of addressing our male parent. Dad, Daddy, Papa, Pops are less formal. They help give a closer meaning to what Jesus was getting at regarding the relationship that God wants to have with us.
     For some folks, calling God "Father" is tough. It's tough because their relationship with their earthly Father has been abusive, non-existent or less than ideal, to say the least. What we need to remember about our Father in heaven is that God is able to be our ideal parent - our perfect parent. This is a relationship that we can revel in and depend on no matter what. Still, as we pray the Lord's Prayer, sometimes we pray it so quickly, or it's become so routine, that we allow "Father" to simply be a title instead of the indicator of a relationship.
     So, Jesus teaches us that prayer is about a relationship. It's about the parent/child relationship that God makes available to us. As we're mindful of this relationship, we're able to rest in the unconditional love that God holds for us. We're able to find comfort and refuge in God's nickname for all of God's children: Beloved. We're able to move along in our journeys of faith, trusting in God to let us go to make our way in the world and knowing that God will pick us up when we fall and cheer us on when we hit our peaks.
     No child goes through life without asking his or her parents for stuff and our relationship with God is no different. Prayer is asking God for what we need and what we want. And sometimes it requires patience. Just ask Louise. Last week, as we prayed together in this space, it was Louise's turn and someone in the congregation actually finished her sentence for her because it was maybe the third week in a row she had prayed to Our Father for rain.
     Prayer is not like dealing with a vending machine. You don't put your money in, hit the buttons to get what you want and have what you want fall right into your lap. Prayer is more of an ongoing process. It sometimes requires patience. Louise knows that. Most of us know that. And we shouldn't be surprised. It's right here in final verses in the Gospel for today. We lose this in the English translation, so let me read it using words that help get the true point across.
     "So, I say to you," Jesus said, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; Continually search, and you will find; Never stop knocking, and the door will be opened to you. . ." Prayer is about continually asking God for what we need and what we want. Does that mean we always get the answer we seek? No. Good and loving parent don't say "Yes" to their children's every whim and desire. But, does it mean that God hears us when we ask? Yes. And maybe that is one of the best things there is about prayer and our relationship with God. We can ask God for anything. No request is too ridiculous for God to hear.
     I went to see the movie, Evan Almighty, earlier this summer - a modern day Noah's Ark story. Evan is a newscaster turned politician who really wants to make a difference. As he moves into his new job, he even prays that the work he does might have a great effect and really make a difference for people. As only the movies can portray, God answers Evan's prayer right away, even appearing to him in person. God tells him he needs to build an arc and provides him with an extra lot next to his house, the tools, the wood and even some animals to help him along.
      Yet, for much of the movie, Evan doesn't get it. He just keeps going in the direction he sees as the way forward. I won't spoil the rest of the movie for you, but Evan helps us learn the final element of prayer that I want to talk about today and that is that prayer is about speaking AND listening. Many of us are like Evan. We have the speaking part down. In fact, we can talk and talk and talk and talk to God. Asking for the things we need. Thanking God for the blessings in our life. Telling God about others who need help, healing, comfort or rescue. This is all well and good.
      But, do we listen? Do we get in a space or place in our lives where it is quiet and we can actually hear God speak to us? There is no one in our lives with whom we do all the talking. (Although many men might joke that this is not true in their relationship with their wives!) Seriously, though, every single one of our relationships require us to talk and listen. So, why would it be any different in our relationship with God? When, in your life, do you make time to hear God's voice leading you? How do you make time and space for listening to happen? These aren't easy questions to answer, but important ones to think about and essential as we think about prayer.
     Prayer is an incredible gift from God. On par at least with our modern communication tools like i-phones and e-mail which last time I checked didn't have enough bars or service lines to reach heaven. Still, many of us don't pray nearly as often as we talk on our phones or sit at our computers. Some of us, if we're really truthful, might even say that we don't know how to pray or feel ridiculous doing it. What Jesus gave his disciples and us in the Lord's Prayer and the teaching that follows is a beautiful starting point.
      A reminder of our relationship with God who tells us that it is OK to ask - no matter what we're asking for. If you're not a pray-er, Jesus's words are especially for you today. Start with his words. Once you're comfortable, add your own personal phrases to this prayer. As you begin with "Our Father", you're on your way to your own relationship enhancing conversation with God. Amen.



Have a couple of fun things sitting out in front of the kids -straws (sticks), juice (vinegar), puppy soap (bag of dirt), crackers (cardboard). Tell them they can ask for anything they want. Have each thing correspond with something not quite as fun (in parentheses). In the Gospel today, Jesus makes the point that God knows how to give good gifts to God's children. God wants to give us what we ask for. God gives us even greater gifts than these things. God gives us love, forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to guide us in our earthly lives. God gives us our parents and grandparents to take care of us.