Pastor's Corner

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

-- Luke 11:1 --

Letting go and letting God.

It sounds so nice, so simple, so essential to a life of faith.

In reality, it is incredibly difficult.

It’s hard to just let go, to release control.

If you think back through the whole Biblical narrative, it is not much of a stretch to say most of the messes we humans get into are driven by a desire for control.

Adam and Eve ate the apple so that they might be like God and know good and evil, or so that they could gain a bit more control.

Cain killed Abel out of frustration that Abel’s offering to God was “more pleasing.” Or Cain wanted control, to be on top.

Read through the histories of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah and you continually run into control issues.

Even Jesus’ crucifixion was conceived because the religious and political leaders at the time feared losing control.

Letting go and letting God does sound good, but it is difficult in practice.

Of course we know this from our own experience as well.

This is where prayer comes in. I’ve often heard prayer described as “a conversation with God.” I think that is true. If prayer is anything it is talking and listening to God. In the context of Luke 11:1-13 and our seemingly inability to let go and let God, I believe prayer can also be understood as surrender; as releasing control. “Teach us to pray,” the disciples ask in Luke 11. It is a good request. Jesus responds with some of the most repeated words in the Christian faith: the Lord’s Prayer.

Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial. — Luke 11:2-4

This is a prayer of surrender, asking for God’s name to be hallowed, God’s kingdom to come, God’s will to be done, that God give us all that we need for today. Notice how all the control is in God’s hand and not ours–it’s God’s name that is holy, God’s kingdom coming, God’s will done and God that provides. It’s a powerful prayer, a bold prayer and a prayer in which we surrender ourselves over to God. Prayer is indeed communication with God, but it is also a release of control.

Letting go and letting God is difficult. A good place to start is that same place the disciples found themselves in Luke 11…by saying: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Teach us, good Lord, and then give us the courage to follow your teaching.

In prayer, Pastor Phil Misner

Pastor Phil Misner

Peace Lutheran Church, Colfax,

Trinity Lutheran Church, Endicott