S163P11 – The mind of Christ: a group effort
Lk. 11:1-4
Now it came to pass, as [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
We all probably have heard someone speak about having a very close but individual relationship with God. When we hear this, we might think that it certainly is a good thing for someone to have a close relationship with God. After all, the point of Christ coming was to reconcile us to the Father, so that surely must be good. However, I am not speaking of those within the Church who have a relationship with the Father. I am speaking of those who want nothing to do with the body of Christ but who think that having their own unique and individual relationship with God is enough. I am speaking of those who claim to have God yet desire to go it alone without the fellowship of the saints.
This model prayer by Christ is striking for several reasons, but there is one reason which I think often is overlooked. I had heard this prayer many times and had heard teachings on this prayer as well, but something about it had eluded me for a while. Then, I was reviewing these words closely and realized the corporate aspect of this prayer. Jesus told his followers not to pray for themselves individually but to pray for themselves corporately. In fact, the language of this prayer seems to indicate a group saying these words as opposed to an individual. That is because the prayer by the individual should be focused on the group. It is about the body praying for the body.
Although each of us has individual needs, we must accept that we are not alone in our relationships with the Father. We are to worship and serve him corporately, and his Son instructs us to pray for the body. This does not mean that we always pray with one another, but Jesus definitely instructs us to pray for one another. Those who want nothing to do with the Church body cannot have a good relationship with God. The scriptures do not allow for this. We cannot profess to love and follow Christ yet reject his bride and elect not to be part of his body. Father, remind us that we are not on this journey alone and that our prayers should be focused on the whole body of Christ.