Intimacy - Part 1
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Jeff Mattesich
- Matthew 6:5-13
- Life Aligned - Lenten 2020
- 44 mins 40 secs
- Views: 620
Questions for Reflection
Read Matthew 6:5-13
- What are the hypocrites’ motivations for prayer in vs. 5-7? In what ways do we fall into some of those same unhealthy motivations when we pray? In contrast, what does Jesus say should be our motivation in prayer?
- Jesus isn’t teaching so much about what we say when we pray to God, but more so about what we believe about God when we pray. What characteristics of God are highlighted in vs. 5-8? How should these insights about God then change the way we pray?
- In verse 9, Jesus praises his Heavenly Father, saying “Hallowed be your name.” What are some of the names of God that are especially meaningful for you in this season, and why? What does it mean to “hallow” the name of God?
- What keeps us from giving ourselves in intimacy and vulnerability to God, especially with all the changes that have come this past week? What are some new rhythms of prayer that God might be calling you to develop during this season?
- Jesus gives us a model of praying not just for our own needs but for others as well—"Give us our daily bread.” What helps you look outward in this season when we are tempted toward self-preservation? How can we be God’s daily bread, his provision, to one another this week?
- Close by spending some time in prayer, hallowing the name of God and praising Him for who He is. Then spend some time praying for our daily bread.
Devotional
Read Exodus 33:7-11
I love this glimpse into Moses and God’s relationship. When I read that “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend,” (v. 11) I am reminded of my own relationship with my best friend, Rachel.
Rachel and I went to college together, where we saw each other almost every day. But once we graduated, Rachel moved away to New York City, and we had to figure out how to connect despite the distance. Luckily we live in 2020, and Facetime has become a staple of our lives. When we Facetime, I want to be totally free from distractions. I’ll put my headphones in, and even go for a walk to prevent interruptions. These are moments when we can truly be together. We’ve prioritized one another, making our time together precious and protected. It’s safe to tell each other everything from the joyous to the heartbreaking moments of life, without fear of judgment.
Art by Carol Kenyon
We are blessed that, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, when we pray we speak to the LORD, “face to face, as one speaks to a friend,” (v 11). When we pray, we step into the sacred space that is God’s presence. This space is not only sacred, but safe as well. God is the ultimate confidant to whom we can bring all things, without fear of judgment.
Reflect: God may not make a pillar of protective clouds or be a physical body across from us, but God is fully present in every moment. Where in your daily routine can you take advantage of Christ’s sacrifice and speak, “face to face” with our Creator?
Pray: Gracious and Holy God, thank you. Thank you for being the One who loves me and craves an intimate relationship with me. Jesus, thank you for being the ultimate sacrifice on the cross and for paving the way for all to have the opportunity to experience this sacred and safe love. Amen.
Leah Bolton
Middle School Ministries
Read Psalm 139:1-18
When I read Psalm 139, I imagine the tired parents of a newborn baby. The Psalmist feels hounded by an ever-present God, saying “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your Presence?” (vs. 7). In the same way, when my daughters were just born, I echoed the Psalmist in his desire for some personal space: If I try to take a shower, you are there! If I try to sleep, you are there! Indeed, this Psalm is a detailed description (and even a celebration!) of God’s invasion of our privacy.
God knows us in every way possible. We can’t escape intimacy with Him, no matter how hard we try or how far we go—even the darkness can’t hide us from His loving gaze! He knows our thoughts, our actions, the rhythms of our day. God’s intimate understanding of us isn’t even limited by time—he knew us in our mothers’ womb, saw all our days before one of them came to be.
We have a Creator who is intimately connected to us, and this reality ought to shape our prayer life. So often in prayer, we end up informing God of all the bad things that need His attention in our world. But if Psalm 139 is actually true, if God knows us at our core and pursues us to the end of the earth, then He knows all that needs attending to—inside of us and in the world around us. This awareness of God’s presence changes how we live, and how we pray.
Reflect: How might God’s intimate presence with you throughout the day shape your posture in prayer?
Pray: Review your day, allowing God to reveal how He was present in each moment. What praises come to mind? What do you imagine broke God’s heart as He moved with you through your day? Invite the LORD to shape how you pray for the people and needs you encountered.
Annie Neufeld
Small Group Ministries
Read Matthew 6:9
The way we speak with someone is deeply affected by the person that someone is. For example, I speak with my grandchildren in a far different way from the way I speak with my boss. I think both the boss and grandchildren are happy that I do!
In the Lord’s Prayer, the petition that follows “Our Father in heaven” in Mt 6:9 is, “Hallowed be your name.” Those words form a part of the Jesus’ prayer that is often overlooked. In my understanding, however, it is one of the most far-reaching phrases in the prayer because it takes into account that alongside the intimacy and familiarity we express when we call God our Father is the reality that our Father in heaven is also the transcendent and holy God of the universe.
Hallowed is a word we don’t use often in our day-to-day speaking. And, yet, almost all translators of the word into our modern English Bibles have chosen to use the word “hallowed” rather than a word like sacred or holy. The reason is that, when Jesus taught us to pray that our Father’s name would be recognized as hallowed, he intentionally chose a word that refers to anything in our human experience that is of ultimate importance to us. “Hallowed” refers to the thing or person or concern that we have as the supreme focus of our lives. Whatever we value or revere – whatever we put at the center of our being – is what we hallow.
So, when you pray, you should ask, “What do I hallow?” Moreover, when you pray, “God, be hallowed”, you are saying, “God, may you be honored and reverenced as the supreme, only-perfect, holy, and sacred person that you are, the one to be put above all else. I pray that you will be hallowed both in my life and in this world.”
The most unmistakable way to determine what the real “god” of your life is – is to identify what it is that you hallow. When you pray, remember that the intimate Father in heaven who knows you and loves you is also the only true God, the one who alone is worthy of your worship.
Reflect: What do you “hallow” in this world?
Pray: Spend some time “hallowing” God, praising Him and honoring Him for all He is and all He has done.
Greg Waybright
Executive Office
Lectio Divina
Week 3:
Matthew 6:5-8
Read: Read the passage once—slowly, gently—listening for one word or phrase that jumps out at you. Savor that word, repeating it (either out loud or in your head), listening for the “still, small voice” of God.
Reflect: Read the passage again, and this time ask: How is my life touched by this word? What does this word have to do with my life? What emotions do I feel as I hear this word? Sit in silence, meditating on how God’s word is speaking to your context.
Respond: Read the passage again, and this time ask: What is my response to God based on what I have heard?
Rest: Read it one more time and simply rest in the words of God.