Matthew 6:9-13

1. As a kid, I really wanted to figure out why close people argued a lot. I thought if I understood people better, it might help. Sadly, there weren't many resources available then. But now, bookstores have lots of self-help and psychology books. I checked some out, and I saw that they all talk about the problems people go through in life. While preparing this sermon, I came across a book titled "Everybody Lies." It explores how internet information influences people's beliefs in facts. In the introduction, the book presents various election results in the United States to illustrate how people's reactions differ from their words.

2. For instance, during the Trump and Hillary Clinton election, despite people expressing support for a woman president, they ultimately voted for Trump. Google Big Data revealed their true sentiments through their searches, shedding light on how people genuinely perceive certain matters or facts. If we consider a discrepancy between our words and actions as a lie, then this definition holds true. However, it's essential to acknowledge that people may lie based on their circumstances and situations, as lying can be relative. Therefore, it becomes crucial for us to discern what is genuinely true and what constitutes a lie. The reason I introduced the topic of lies is to explore "what lies exist within us, according to the truth." Let us read Matthew 6:9-13 first and talk more about it.

Matthew 6:9–11 (NKJV)

In this manner, therefore, pray: 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.

Matthew 6:12–13 (NKJV)

And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

3. This is reminiscent of the Lord's Prayer. When Jesus' disciples inquired about prayer, he shared this prayer as a guide. According to it, our priority should be directing our attention to God and His kingdom before presenting our own needs. The prayer involves acknowledging and glorifying God's name first, followed by requests for daily provisions, forgiveness, and divine protection. It concludes by praying for God's power and glory. Honestly, it appears straightforward.

4. I've observed a pastor who prays for over 5 minutes, sometimes surpassing the duration of my short sermons. Similarly, my mother-in-law's prayers before meals occasionally extend beyond 10 minutes. Her prayers encompass not only gratitude for food but also include blessings for farmers, fishers, armies, and people worldwide. Interestingly, Jesus' prayer doesn't explicitly mention farmers or people globally; rather, it predominantly centers on God and His glory.

5. At this juncture, we might ponder why Jesus imparted this simple prayer to his disciples. While the inclination might be to believe that longer prayers reflect greater sincerity, the essence of prayer, as I perceive it, lies in prioritizing the recognition of God and His love, and in listening to His voice. When our prayers overly emphasize our needs, it can impede our ability to attune ourselves to God's voice. It transforms the act of prayer into mere self-expression, akin to murmuring before God. Just as ceaseless talking or murmuring during a conversation indicates a reluctance to listen, an excessive focus on our needs in prayer may lead to a prolonged monologue. Essentially, if we persistently concentrate on our needs, the dialogue with God becomes one-sided, hindering our receptivity to His guidance. In essence, the depth of our connection with God and the effectiveness of our prayers may be compromised if we fail to strike a balance between expressing our needs and creating space to listen to the voice of God.

6. Numerous stories in the Bible illustrate instances where people lost their connection with God by becoming overly focused on their needs. In Genesis 3, the account of Adam and Eve reveals a pivotal moment when their perspective shifted from God to their own desires. Consuming the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil altered their perspective. Following this shift, their initial response was to become aware of their nakedness, and their subsequent actions were geared towards addressing their immediate needs. Remarkably, they sought to fulfill these needs based on their newfound knowledge. The act of crafting clothing, however, reflected a certain instability, as they fashioned garments not from durable materials but from leaves. This narrative highlights the consequences of prioritizing personal needs over a connection with God, as seen in Adam and Eve's attempt to independently address their desires based on their own understanding.

Genesis 3:7 NLT

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Genesis 3:8 NLT

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.

7. Indeed, another illustrative story highlighting the consequence of focusing on personal needs can be found in 1 Samuel 13. King Saul, desiring to engage in war against the Philistines, assembled his army and awaited the arrival of the prophet Samuel. However, when Samuel did not appear, fear gripped the people, leading to their dispersal. In the face of this uncertainty, rather than continuing to trust in God's timing, Saul's focus shifted to his immediate needs. Feeling compelled to take matters into his own hands, he decided to offer the burnt offering himself. Relying on his anointed status as king, Saul assumed he could lead the burnt offering without Samuel. Contrary to Saul's expectations, God did not accept his offering, underscoring the significance of maintaining trust in God's plan and not allowing immediate needs to overshadow that trust. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of prioritizing personal needs over reliance on God's guidance.

1 Samuel 13:7–8 (MSG)

They retreated across the Jordan River, refugees fleeing to the country of Gad and Gilead. But Saul held his ground in Gilgal, his soldiers still with him but scared to death. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel. Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left.

1 Samuel 13:9–10 MSG

So Saul took charge: “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering. No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! Saul greeted him.

1 Samuel 13:13 NIV

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

1 Samuel 13:14 NIV

But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

8. When we pray to God, many of our prayers are about our needs. During my military service from 2002 to 2004, I encountered God's healing. I had a knee problem and pain that needed attention before starting, but due to various circumstances and delays, I became the oldest person at my base, starting at 27 years old while my friends had finished their service at 20. Praying to God to heal my knee before the military service was essential because of the extensive walking involved. Despite my prayers, I still experienced pain during the training period. One day, while at church during training, I prayed and felt something unusual—a warmth in my knee. After a few minutes, it was time to return to the base. As I started walking, I realized my knee was okay; there was no pain. From that moment until the completion of my military service, my knee remained fine. Now, I occasionally feel some discomfort, especially when it's cloudy or raining. Nonetheless, my experience of God's healing through prayer is a testament to the assurance that God attends to our needs when we reach out in prayer.

Matthew 6:28–29 ESV

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

9. In 2018, I was diagnosed with glaucoma during my visit to South Korea, marking the beginning of a challenging period. It was an unexpected turn of events on my first day in the country since 2009, and it cast a shadow over what should have been a pleasant trip. Glaucoma, especially at my age in the early 40s, is uncommon. The news was disheartening, and I yearned to return home to Canada. The doctor conveyed a sobering message, warning that my eyes were gradually losing their sight, with the possibility of blindness in the future. Upon returning to Canada, I sought the expertise of an eye specialist in Regina who performed laser treatment. Despite the efforts, my glaucoma persisted; it was an ailment without a cure. In my persistent prayers, I questioned why God hadn't healed me as He did with my knee pain. Initially, I grappled with feelings of depression and disappointment. However, as I took a closer look at my life through the lens of prayer, I realized that despite the ongoing challenge of glaucoma, my life was abundantly blessed by God's love, the support of my church family, and the presence of my precious family. This perspective shift prompted me to recognize that my mind had undergone transformation through faith and prayer. Despite the persistence of my condition, I found strength in God's love, enabling me to live with my disease without it causing distress or depression. God's unwavering presence and the faith to see His love and grace through my illness have become sources of comfort, allowing me to navigate life with gratitude and resilience.

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 NLT

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

10. Ironically, during my time in Pelly, I found myself able to empathize with the discomfort experienced by fellow church members due to glaucoma. Many seniors in Pelly had been grappling with eye diseases for more than two decades. As I opened up about my own struggle with glaucoma, there was a shared understanding between us. My condition became a bridge, fostering connection and understanding between myself and others in the community. In an unexpected twist, my experience with glaucoma transformed into a source of ministry, allowing me to offer support and companionship to those facing similar challenges.

11. When we approach God with a focus solely on our needs, we may be tempted to judge His response based on the fulfillment of those needs. This perspective can lead to the mistaken belief that God is not listening to our prayers. It's important to recognize that God's presence and care extend beyond the immediate outcomes of our requests. Whether or not our specific needs are met, God remains with us. Focusing intensely on the resolution of our specific concerns, such as the cure of an ailment like glaucoma, may inadvertently lead to a distorted view of God's engagement in our lives. The truth is that God's transformative work goes beyond what we can observe or measure in our circumstances. Relying solely on tangible evidence can create a misleading narrative. Knowing God is not about accumulating factual knowledge or information; it's rooted in faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is not merely intellectual; it involves entrusting our lives and minds to God. Regardless of our level of knowledge about God, our decision to follow His path is anchored in Jesus Christ, not just personal experiences. This underscores why an exclusive focus on our needs can hinder our ability to pray effectively. True worship involves glorifying God and honoring His name, transcending a narrow focus on personal fulfillment.

Matthew 6:31–32 NKJV

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

12. Don't attempt to comprehend God solely through our needs and desires. Avoid worshiping based solely on our circumstances. Instead, let's strive to follow God with faith in Jesus Christ. Worship God with an understanding of His love and grace. Seek to renew our mind and perspective with the assistance of the Spirit. Embrace God's transformative work within us through Jesus Christ.

13. Benediction

Romans 12:1–2 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.