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This edition of Ask the Pastor features Pastors Gary Schick and Ben Poole.
Ben Poole
All right, so here it is. "What spiritual disciplines do you, or God's word, recommend for believers in general? What particular disciplines do you, yourselves practice and what does that look like for you?" So first off, big topic and there's so many things we can talk about. And we are gonna talk about probably some of the big ones, the main ones, especially that we see in scripture. And as always scripture needs to be our guiding factor, and we need to abide by the word and to live by that. We have wonderful examples of this. Obviously, Jesus being our perfect example, but all of this comes down to, I know our heart's desire, your pastor's desires and especially God's desire is that our relationship with God is always growing. These spiritual disciplines are not just a list of things that you should do, or you must do. I look at this as things that you get to do. That we have the privilege to become more spiritually disciplined and grow in God through His holy spirit. And so the one that we want to talk about today is maybe one that seems obvious, but at the same time is probably not utilized enough. And that's the topic of prayer. I think that is a wonderful place to start when we think about spiritual discipline, and what I love about prayer is how we see it transform through scripture. Kind of a backstory in the Old Testament, the way that people went to God was through, well, there's a few different ways, but kind of the main one was through the high priest. The high priest once a year, went into the holy of holies to appeal to God on behalf of God's people seeking for forgiveness. And that was the communication outside of the times where God would speak to certain people at certain times. There was not really a freedom to come to God's throne; until the cross. Once Jesus died, you see in scripture that, the veil was torn in two, which really shows this opening where God is out and open for everyone. And Hebrews tells us that we can come before God on His throne, boldly and confidently; not fearful, not worrying, but we can come straight to God. And that is one of, outside of salvation itself, I feel like prayer is one of the greatest, if not the greatest gift that God has given us. Where we can come straight to Him. So with that, Gary, what are some of your thoughts on this?
Gary Schick
Well, and you know, I just want to back up just a hair, because the question actually had to do with spiritual discipline. And I think you're right, I think we want to go with this for a few weeks. You know, we spend so much time focusing on the gospel, which is: God loves us, He made us, we have sinned, it separates us from God. There is nothing we can do to right that wrong, to make ourselves right with God. Christ did it all when He died for our sins and rose from the dead. We are invited to believe in Christ and receive Him as Lord and savior. And so I think it's always important to start there, because even in our conversation before going on the air. You know we were talking about, we know people who've grown up in the church, who really don't know how to be saved even though they've probably heard it. So have you taken the step, have you put your trust in Christ and owned Him as your savior and also your Lord? So what does it mean that Jesus has saved me and now He's my Lord and I'm growing in Him? I always like to talk to kids about the word, "grows." G.R.O.W.S: G--go to God in prayer(what we're talking about today), R--read the word (get into God's word, the Bible), O--others (connect with other believers and have fellowship with them), W--worship (worship privately, worship publicly with the people of God), and then triple S--serve Christ as you serve others and share the faith. And I think there's kind of an order to that, you know, where it's about serving Jesus, it fleshes itself out in others. And part of that definitely includes sharing the faith, but going back to the beginning, go to God in prayer. Prayer has been described as the breath of the believer. Prayer can be very personal and heartfelt and overflowing. The whole book of Psalms is a book of prayer. It's praise, it's petition, it's crying out to God. It shows us that we can just talk to God. You know, probably the earliest reference we have to prayer in scripture is clear back in the book of Genesis. It says basically, that when Adam and Eve's third son, Seth was born at that time, people began to call on the name of the Lord. I think it's most basic essence, is that it's a calling out, but not, you know, I'm not calling out to you, Ben. I'm not calling out to my wife. Well, you guys are great. Yeah, you're a great buddy. My wife is boom, she is amazing. She's my best friend. But calling out to the Lord. And it can be spontaneous all the time, Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." We should pray on all occasion, we should just be about the business of prayer. The end of the spiritual armor in Ephesians talks about, and through all, through all by prayer and petition, you know? This is key. Prayer can also be formal, you know? Like we don't know what to say, we can use those very words of the Psalms. By the way, Jesus taught us a prayer. And I don't know about you, but I feel like most of us have missed it with the Lord's prayer. We're either from just, you know, really contemporary churches. Like churches I grew up in, where the Lord's prayer, "Yeah, that's somewhere in the Bible." You know, they don't make any use of it. On the other hand, I've been a part, especially in this valley, of some more formal churches where we say the Lord's prayer. And I got to tell you friends: if you're not saying it and if you are saying it, you're probably missing it, because what Jesus actually taught was, "pray in this manner." He actually was giving us the Lord's prayer as a structure, a kind of a rungs on the ladder to hang it on. When I was early on as a Christian, I was kind of taught this little acronym, A.C.T.S. When you pray, think about these topics: Adoration (praising God), Confession (confessing your sins), Thanksgiving, (thanking God), and Supplication, (bring your request). The nice thing about that is, we tend to run into God's presence with all the things we want. The Lord's prayer is even better than that, because the Lord's prayer includes: where do you put those applications? Where do you put those prayer requests? I tend to put it under the heading of, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." You know, bringing boldly our needs to God in prayer, but with the attitude that Jesus did when He was in the garden. His flesh was crying out, "I don't want the cross, take this cup from me. But with a recognition of, "Father, your will." And sometimes our heart's desire and the father's will, they are hand in hand, and you can't even get the prayer out your mouth before God's already answered. But you know what? There was one occasion where Jesus wanted something and the opposite happened, and He knew it. I mean, He knew as He prayed that. He'd already told His disciples, "We're going to Jerusalem, I'm gonna suffer, I'm gonna die, and I'm gonna rise. This is what God's will is, and this is what's gonna happen." And yet, doesn't mean His flesh wanted to go there, and what a comfort to us. We don't have to pray right. We don't have to pray the right words, the right thoughts, the right feelings. We can just tell God what we want and trust Him and trust His will. And that it's perfect. And so, you know, I would invite everybody to take a second look at the Lord's prayer and there's somewhere between five and seven topic headings to kind of keep our conversation with God balanced. You know, it starts with calling Him our Father. It starts by asking above all that He would be hallowed and praised. It prays for His kingdom, His justice, His righteousness. It asks for His will, it trusts Him with our most basic needs. Our daily bread, it reminds us to come and ask for forgiveness, but it also teaches us to forgive one another. It invites us to pray that God would guide our steps and that God would protect us and deliver us from evil. And then it rounds it out by saying, "It's all yours God." I mean, what a tremendous way to go to God in prayer. You can take that out, break it into pieces and spread it through there. You can say it, you can say it holding hands with God's people. But you know, don't just go through the motion of the words. Really let the Lord's prayer guide you into prayer. And that prayer, in my opinion, will do more to disciple you in the way of Christ, in the attitude of Christ, in the heart of Christ, in the mission of Christ. Boom! But again, you know, "Oh, I can't talk to God unless somehow I'm working the per-- No, No! I mean, what is the need of the moment? Go to God. What is the praise of the moment? Thank God. And you know, are you sick? James says, "Call for the elders of the church and get together with God's people in prayer." Probably the saddest thing, it's gone by the wayside in my lifetime. There used to be three things: there used to be Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday prayer, and I think all that's left today in most places is Sunday morning and maybe a Wednesday Bible study. But prayer, why is it left in the margins? I mean, what do we read of Jesus? He went often by Himself to lonely places to pray. The example of Jesus was getting alone with the Father. Martin Luther said, "If he had a busy day, he needed to spend more time in prayer that morning to be ready for it." Not the last thing or the least thing, but the first thing.
Ben Poole
This is such a good topic, and what I've talked to people about in the practical side of this, thinking about, we're in a relationship with the creator of the universe and He wants to hear from us. Beautiful opportunity, and I try to help people understand this. And if you're married, which I am, one of the key ingredients to a healthy marriage is communication. My wife and I talk about everything all day long, even into the night. And I also know the other side, whether I'm upset or she's upset when we're not communicating our relationship struggles. We are told in scripture that we are a bride of Christ. We are in a marriage with God, the Father, and what is one way that we keep a healthy relationship? Communication. And that's what it is. And I really appreciate what you said. It's not about a canned prayer. It is about your heart, and I would so encourage you to read through the Psalms. David especially, felt free to express his emotions, his feelings, even anger, even questioning God's timing. And not that we're doubting God, but we are in this relationship where we can speak freely to God. Knowing that He hears us, knowing that He loves us, knowing that He wants to hear our hearts. Side note to that: He already knows what's in your heart. He knows everything you're going through. He wants you to express that to Him and grow in that relationship. And as we talk about these other topics, I really appreciate that you thought prayer would be the one that we should start with, because I think that should be at the forefront of spiritual discipline.
Gary Schick
It runs through all of it.
Ben Poole
Yeah this will shadow into all these other disciplines if we will lead our life in prayer with God and have that relationship. And through prayer, take the time to say what you need to say, let God's will be His, and then listen. Part of prayer is listening for God to speak and answer those prayers. And just like Jesus in the garden, "Not my will, but yours be done." God's always gonna answer your prayers, it may just not be your heart's desire. And so if we can come to every situation, the easy, the hard things and saying, "God, this is my life, and I've given it to you. I'm giving everything of myself to you, to lead me, and so I'm asking that your will be done that it's not mine. And that you would open doors or shut doors or whatever it may be, and that through that we will follow you faithfully to wherever you lead."
Gary Schick
And you know, some of the great prayer warriors of the past, they would pray themselves into a point of where they had really sought God's will until they had gotten themselves out of the way. Until they were really ready for whatever God's will is. And that was a big---and so much more could be said---I mean, I think fasting. You know, we talk about prayer and fasting something, probably not practiced by many. I've practiced it on and off at different points in my life, but it is a function of prayer. It is a way of getting alone with God wherever you are. If you're fasting, it's, "I'm feeding on you God." And whether you're driving down the road, perfect time to pray. Taking a walk, I tend to pray better when I'm moving in motion, or you know, on your knee in your room. Or if you can take an extended period of time, go hike the Monument. Pray all the way up and down, you know, I mean---
Ben Poole
Oh, I'd be praying up for sure.
Gary Schick
But go do something with God.
Ben Poole
It's being with God, and that's really what it's all about.
Gary Schick
And learning to just rest in Him and His presence. I mean, it's not even all talk. It's just sometimes being quiet, and letting the spirit impress things on our heart and mind, and just learning to be with Him.