Week 7
Holy Week
Day 35: Monday, April 10, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau
Prayer
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
Devotional: Many people are not comfortable with public prayer. One reason is that they were never taught how to pray. Even the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. He, then, taught them the Lord’s Prayer. But prayer is more than a formatted prayer. Prayer is not simply asking. Prayer is not a monologue. Prayer is more than a conversation. Prayer is also listening and putting ourselves in the hands of God at God’s disposition, and listening to God’s voice in the depth of our hearts.
I am reminded of the five finger prayer, the easiest way to remember who to include in our prayers.
- The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you.
- The next finger is the index or pointer finger. Pray for those who teach you and points you towards God. This includes your pastor and teachers. Always keep them in your prayers.
- The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the President, Congress, State and Local Officials. Also pray for world leaders. They all need God’s guidance.
- The fourth finger is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those afflicted with problems. They need your prayers.
- And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.
Prayer: God, continue to teach us how to pray and who to pray for. Amen
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