19 February 2017

My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. THE CHRISTIAN'S PRAYER

LUKE 11:1-4, MATTHEW 6:5-13

Commonly known as the "Lord's Prayer", this Christian's Prayer is read and recited by millions, believers and unbelievers, nominal Christians, often-times "parrot-fashion" with hardly a thought of what it means. Today, let us pause and ponder the deep meaning of this "perfect prayer".

(a) Our Father in heaven. Only the child of God, adopted into God's family by Jesus Christ, can call God "Abba, Father" (Rom 8:14,15), with full assurance that He is pleased to hear and answer. In Christ, the Father sees us as children, objects of His pity, compassion and love.

(b) Our Father's name. His is a name that every filial child holds in highest reverence, for it means life and love, shelter and security, and an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven (1 Pet 1:4). "Hallowed be Thy name!"

(c) Our Father's kingdom. Only the coming of God's kingdom on earth will fulfil the desire of nations and hope of mankind for a world of universal peace with justice. Our prayer is for Jesus to establish that kingdom soon, where God's will shall be perfectly done as in heaven.

(d) Our daily bread and all our bodily needs for this earthly sojourn come from the Father who gives us every good and perfect gift. On Him let us cast our every care, knowing that He who feeds the sparrows will surely provide for us His children.

(e) Our many sins. God sees them all! From Him there is no hiding or running away. So to His Son let us flee as our Mediator and Advocate, our ransom and perfect sacrifice. But to be forgiven we must be forgiving! Then only will our Father in heaven forgive us our sins.

(f) Our daily temptations. Only the Holy Spirit Comforter in us can strengthen us against the perils and pitfalls put in our pathway by the adversary. Our Lord has promised to be with us alway, so let us claim His presence every moment of the day. Then let us walk, as in His presence, in safety and peace. Amen.

THOUGHT: Let us pray with the spirit and with the understanding.

2. PRESCRIPTION FOR ANXIETY

LUKE 12:35-48, MATTHEW 25:1-12

Life has not been altogether smooth sailing since Adam's day, when the Lord God said, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life ... in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread ..." (Gen 3:17,19). Today men call it a "rat race", with over anxious men struggling to live better, eat better, and dress better. These legitimate aims cause many to lose sleep, suffer high blood pressure, anxiety, neurosis and other ailments of modern life.

Much of all this is avoidable, if men would have their priorities right: first things first. To live as if only the body matters is the first – and fatal – error in life. It is the vain philosophy of the world. When men ignore the needs of their souls, the certainty of death and the inescapable judgement that awaits them, then their lives run into a host of man-made problems.

Our Lord saw the problem in His day, no different from ours today. His prescription is therefore worthy of our careful consideration. The first step is: consider the ravens and birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap, yet God feeds them. Then look at the lilies and flowers of the field in their exquisite beauty. They toil not, neither do they spin. Yet God clothes them more beautifully than Solomon in all his kingly robes.

Now we who belong to the household of faith have God to our Father. He who cares for the common things, the flora and fauna at large, shall He not care for His own? What need is there to fuss and fret (sometimes to fume!) over daily necessities? These things ought not to dominate our thinking. "But rather seek ye first the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." The promise is also a challenge: put God and His Kingdom first; strive your utmost to promote it, at all times, with all your means, and for all your life! God says: I will supply all your daily necessities with no lack!

QUESTION: Dare you take God at His Word?

3. PRAY WITHOUT REST

LUKE 11:5-13, PSALM 142

The man in need is roused into action because of his friend who arrives at midnight. "Who can give me three loaves to entertain my friend at this time of the night?" To his neighbour he runs for help.

The man in bed, awakened from sleep, is annoyed and irritated. He refuses to stir from bed, but the urgent pestering of the man in need gives him no peace. To spare himself further annoyance he rises from bed and gives his friend the loaves requested.

If sheer perseverance succeeds so well with man, how much more should it succeed with God? He is a gracious and loving Father, never asleep or annoyed when approached by His children. The trouble is we do not go to Him!

PRAY FOR THE BEST

The secret of true prayer is to cultivate a "filial spirit". We are a needy people, like children, constantly in need of father. No father will deny his son's legitimate request. Neither will God our heavenly Father deny us. He is like our earthly father, with a difference: His answers and gifts are always good and perfect.

Now if God has many good gifts for us let us never stop asking. Let us not say that we have managed quite well without prayer, so why pray? Our Father's treasure store is inexhaustible, waiting to be downpoured on those who ask in faith without wavering. Of all God's gifts, the best is the Holy Spirit of promise. He is the Comforter who strengthens us, teaches us all things, guides us into all truth, and shows us things to come (John 14:26; 16:13). Pray, then, for the Holy Spirit.

He is God's BEST GIFT!

THOUGHT: The secret of praying is praying in secret.

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor