Summary_Setting_The_Proper_Tone_For_Prayer.docx

In this sermon, Rev. John Vermeer explores how Jesus’ instruction to address God as “our Father who is in heaven” sets the proper tone for Christian prayer. Drawing from Isaiah 55 and the Lord’s Prayer, he emphasizes that this address is not just a formality but a theological foundation that shapes our posture before God. The sermon unpacks the dual elements of reverence and trust: reverence, because we approach the transcendent God of heaven, and trust, because we come as beloved children through Christ. Rev. Vermeer warns against common prayer failures—such as irreverence, self-centeredness, and neglecting the corporate nature of prayer—and urges believers to recognize the privilege and urgency of prayer. He ties these themes to the Heidelberg Catechism, highlighting that prayer is both a gift and a responsibility, and that our prayers should begin with God’s concerns before our own. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a return to the basics of prayer, cultivating both awe and confidence as we approach God together.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Reverence in Prayer: Approaching God as “our Father who is in heaven” reminds us that prayer is not a casual conversation with a peer, but an audience with the King of the universe. Reverence is not about fear or distance, but about recognizing God’s holiness and majesty. This awareness should shape our words, our posture, and our expectations in prayer. True reverence guards us from treating God as a means to our own ends.
• 2. Trust Rooted in Adoption: Calling God “Father” is a profound privilege made possible only through Christ’s mediating work. This address assures us that we are not outsiders or beggars, but beloved children who can expect good from our Father’s hand. Trust in prayer is not wishful thinking, but a confidence grounded in God’s character and promises. Our prayers should reflect this childlike trust, even when God’s answers are mysterious or delayed.
• 3. The Corporate Dimension of Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer begins with “our Father,” not “my Father,” reminding us that prayer is fundamentally communal. Even in private prayer, we are joined to the body of Christ and should carry the needs and concerns of others before God. This corporate identity guards against individualism and self-absorption in our spiritual lives. Praying together is a rare and precious privilege that shapes our unity and witness as God’s people.
• 4. The Urgency and Opportunity of Prayer: Isaiah’s call to “seek the Lord while he may be found” underscores that prayer is both a privilege and a fleeting opportunity. God draws near in His Word and by His Spirit, but persistent neglect or rebellion can harden us to His presence. The window for prayerful response is limited by the brevity of life and the unpredictability of opportunity. Recognizing this urgency should move us to pray with greater earnestness and gratitude.
• 5. The Proper Order of Prayer: Jesus teaches us to begin prayer with God’s name, kingdom, and will, placing His concerns before our own. This order is not just a liturgical formality, but a reorientation of our hearts to love God above all. When we seek God’s glory first, our own needs find their proper place and perspective. This pattern in prayer is meant to shape all of Christian living, aligning our desires with God’s purposes in the world.

1. In Isaiah 55:6, what does the prophet urge God’s people to do, and what is the implied urgency?
2. According to Matthew 6:9, how does Jesus instruct his followers to address God in prayer?
3. What two qualities does the Heidelberg Catechism say should mark our approach to God as “our Father who is in heaven”?
4. From the sermon, what are some common ways people fail to approach God properly in prayer?

1. Why does Jesus combine both “our Father” and “who is in heaven” in his teaching on prayer? What does this reveal about God and about us?
2. How does the idea of being God’s adopted children through Christ change the way believers should pray?
3. What does it mean for prayer to be “corporate” rather than just individual, and why is this important according to the sermon?
4. The sermon warns about the urgency of prayer. What are some reasons given for why prayer should not be delayed or neglected?

1. When you pray, do you tend to focus more on your own needs or on God’s name, kingdom, and will? What would it look like to reorder your prayers to start with God’s concerns?
2. Think about your physical and mental posture when you pray. Are there habits you have that might show a lack of reverence? What is one small change you could make to approach God with more awe?
3. The sermon says that calling God “Father” is a privilege made possible only through Christ. Do you ever take this privilege for granted? How can you remind yourself of the wonder of adoption in your daily prayers?
4. In what ways do you pray for others in your church or community? How could you make your prayers more “corporate” and less individualistic this week?
5. The sermon mentions that prayer is both a gift and a responsibility. Are there times when you treat prayer as a routine or a chore? What could help you see prayer as an urgent opportunity?
6. Have you ever experienced a season where you neglected prayer and felt distant from God? What helped you return, or what could help you return, to a more vibrant prayer life?
7. The sermon warns against irreverence and self-centeredness in prayer. Can you think of a recent prayer where you may have slipped into one of these? How would you pray differently now after hearing this message?