Praying the Mind of Christ
- davidwperk
- Apr 30, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, April 30
The week of the fifth Sunday of Easter
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
7‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 963)
AM Psalm 61, 62; PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36
Lev. 16:20-34; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; Matt. 6:7-15
Today we celebrate the Feast of Sarah J. B.Hale. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
I might be able to create a blog based on dumb questions I’ve been asked over the years. Yes, there really are such things as dumb questions. One of the dumbest came from a first year seminarian in a New Testament introduction class. We were discussing today’s Gospel reading, The Lord’s Prayer. His question: “Dr. Perkins, do you think Jesus actually intended that we SAY this prayer?”
The answer involved asking the student to read verse 9 aloud, “Pray then in this way.” His reaction . . . “Oh! OK!” The student, brought up in the Baptist tradition, had a gut reaction against written prayers. Yet, the Bible teems with prayers offered to God and preserved in writing. So many of the Psalms fall in that category. Paul included prayers in most of his epistles. The Old Testament preserves a number of prayers in the written narratives. One of my favorites, the prayer of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, “We know not what to do, Lord, but our eyes are upon you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12. The entire prayer is recorded in verses 5-12). By the way, that particular student went on to become an outstanding student, earning a Ph.D. in New Testament and Greek.
As Episcopalians, we depend heavily on the written prayers (collects and litanies, prayers of the people, and The Great Thanksgiving prayers) in the Book of Common Prayer for private devotions and public worship. Those prayers are not designed to replace our spontaneous personal prayers. Rather, they gather up our prayers and express them to God collectively (hence the name “collect,” derived from the Latin –lect, to read, say + co, together). Silences in public worship provide spaces for our personal, spontaneous prayers.
Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as the ultimate collect. We express our individual prayers in silence in public worship and the presider and lay readers lead the prayers—prayers of the people, the collects, and the Great Thanksgiving. During Holy Eucharist or Morning or Evening Prayer, the entire congregation offers all its prayers to God and says or sings the Lord’s Prayer together.
It may be challenging, given our dependence on written prayers, to remember that verbal prayer ultimately is personal conversation with God. (Contemplative prayer focuses on listening for God.) At times, we need to be raw, instant, uncensored, in our speech with God. The biblical characters certainly were (for an example, see Jeremiah’s laments in chapters 15 and 20).
I identify with what Julia Cameron had to say on this subject:
Lovers say ‘Talk to me.’ We speak of the love of God. We speak in many spiritual traditions of God as the beloved, and yet when we think of talking to God we find ourselves freezing into the formality of prayer. Lovers use their own words to speak their heart, yet often when we pray we reach for a ‘great prayer.’ Like the lover who sends a Shakespearean sonnet or finds the Hallmark card closest to his own sentiment, we often address God as through a filter, or, perhaps better, an interpreter. Maybe it’s time we spoke to God more candidly.*
The regular offering of Jesus’ prayer as given in today’s reading, both in public worship and in private observance of the prayer offices, puts us very near the mind of Christ. Years ago, I read a book on this prayer written by a New Testament scholar, E. F. Scott. The book has long since departed in one of multiple prunings of my library. But, this statement stuck with me. He encouraged us to persevere in offering this prayer because in so doing we were praying the mind of Christ. “"The value of the prayer consists in this, that it represents the mind of Christ.”+
Imagine—praying the mind of Christ. How much closer to the inner life of Jesus can we come than praying this prayer?
*Julia Cameron, God is No Laughing Matter: An Artist’s Observations and Objections on the Spiritual Path (New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 2000), p. 18.
+E. F. Scott, The Lord's Prayer: Its Character, Purpose, and Interpretation. (New York: Scribner's, 1951), p. 35.
Collect of the Day, Fifth Sunday of Easter
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 225)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Sarah J. B.Hale, editor and prophetic witness (died 30 Apr 1879 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Sarah J. B. Hale
Gracious God, we bless your Name for the vision and witness of Sarah Hale, whose advocacy for the ministry of women helped to support the deaconess movement. Make us grateful for your many blessings, that we may come closer to Christ in our own families; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
All the Good I Can
Dear God, guide me to
Do all the good I can
By all means I can
In all ways I can
In all places I can
To all people I can
As long as I can.
Bill Pittman and Lisa D., The 12 Step Prayer Book Volume 2: More Twelve Step Prayers and Inspirational Readings Prayers (Center City, MN: Hazelden, 2007.)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 6:7-15
7‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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