2/9/20 Secret Spirituality Matt 6:5-13
The Secret Spirituality that God seeks is linked to the prayers of those who wish to go deep in their relationship with God…and this is the reason we gathering here this morning, to encourage each other in this process (Heb 10:23-25). This is the model found in the earliest days of the church (Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4). Unfortunately, many people have lost sight of the fact that meeting with God is the purpose of prayer. Instead, they unwittingly pursue God as if he were the celestial dispenser of all their desires and wishes (Mk 11:22-24; Jn 16:24). Or else, they substitute some kind of spiritual showmanship for an intimate connection with the Father (Matt 6:5-6). Meanwhile, God is looking for depth born from truth and suffering (2 Cor 2:10; Ps 130:1-2; Ps 42:7). Repetitive prayers with empty phrases (Matt 6:7-8; 1 Ki 18:25-29) may replace the what is genuine and real. Instead, Jesus offers this simple and concise pattern known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13). The Scriptures even invite us to pray beyond words themselves, always (1 Thes 5:16-18), with wordless groans (Rom 8:26-27), or silence (Hab 2:20) But no matter how we pray, in community or in solitude, our goal is to meet with God in the secret depths of our soul.
>>Mon 2/10 Heb 10:23-25; Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4 Why is corporate prayer essential to our spiritual growth? >>Tue 2/11 Mk 11:22-24; Jn 16:24 How can we be mislead into believing God is little more than a celestial wish dispenser? >>Wed 2/12 Matt 6:5-8; 1 Ki 18:25-29 How do showy, repetitive prayers get in the way of connecting to heart of worship? >>Thu 2/13 2 Cor 2:10; Ps 130:1-2; Ps 42:7 What does spiritual depth mean to you? How does depth interface with pain and truth? >>Fri 2/14 Matt 6:9-13 What does Jesus’ prayer teach us about verbal concision? >>Sat 2/15 1 Thes 5:16-18; Rom 8:26-27; Hab 2:20 How does prayer go beyond words?