Praying to the Open God
by David Lazarus

Our view and understanding of God will affect the way we live and who we are as persons.
If God does not exist, it will not really matter whether we do good or evil.
If God is a stern dominating ruler we will live by fear and we will judge others and ourselves by actions.
If God is a loving father who cares about creation we will live to love and love to live.
If God himself has no emotions, then we will value stoicism.
If God feels things, then we will value human experiences and try to change ourselves from within, not only in our actions.
 
Bible testimony is that God is an Open God, that is he responds to what is happening in the world, he is affected. When we say that God is all mighty, it does not mean that he is unaffected. When we read that “Nothing is impossible for God” it does not mean that He is free from desires. There are things that he wants, that he longs for that he waits for. He is “long suffering” so he waits for what he wants. He desires to have.
 
So the way we understand who God is will determine the way we live our lives. Important that we get this right.
 
How does the way we understand God affect how we pray?
 
Does God listen to our prayers? Do they affect him? Why do they affect him?
 
Let’s look at Yeshua’s teaching on prayer and see what we can understand about praying to the Open God
 
Mt. 6:5-15
 
Vs 5-6 Background: Religious see God as closed, unaffected. Therefore, cannot understand reason for prayer.
 
If God is not affected by what happens in the world, what is point of prayer? Religious understood prayer to be more for me. I am made more holy when I pray. Prayer becomes a measure of holiness. Source of pride.
 
More beautiful the prayer the more righteous the person
No Biblical idea that the better you pray the more holy you are.
 
Vs 7-8
 
With a closed God, people begin to think that prayer works in some magical way. If there is not a God who is listening and being affected in some way by our prayers, then we begin to develop some kinds of systems to make prayer work. Repeating words, shouting, special prayer mantras.
 
No Bible character felt guilty because didn’t pray enough. Prayer brings peace, not guilt.
 
To an Open God we pray because we believe he hears our prayers
Our prayers affect God. He not only hears, he listens.
 
This doesn’t mean that whatever we pray will make God do what we want.
It does mean that our prayers affect him.
Our prayers can move God, not because we say them so many times, but because they pull the strings of his heart. Like a child asking his father for help. He is moved, influenced.
 
What about what Yeshua says here about not repeating our prayers because god already knows what we need? Vs 8?
 
If God already knows, why ask him for anything at all?
 
Here’s how I understand this.
 
1. Pulling on the strings of his heart. We pray even though he knows what we need because it actually reminds him of the things that he already wants to do. When he hears us ask for those things that are also on his heart, he wants even more to do it because now he sees that that is what we want also.
 
2. So should I keep asking for the same things for years.
 
Praying for the salvation of your children for 20 years is participating together with God for the salvation of your child. It is partnering together with God to fulfill his purposes.
 
Yeshua is interceding in Heaven.
 
Life of prayer is Sharing his hearts burden, his feelings. Being like him with his love for those around us.
 
Steadfast in prayer, pray without ceasing is living a life of faith and hope and love for the kingdom of God. It is being like Yeshua.
 
Participating with God for the outworking of His will and His kingdom here on Earth as it is in heaven.
 
Vs 10 “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
 
 
Vs 11 Our daily bread
 
Dependant on God for everything
 
Prov. 30:7-9
 
  Scratch in clay—Luhot Habrit what I need for sustenance
Bring all physical needs to the Lord
 
 
Vs 12 Forgive us as we forgive those…
 
If prayer is participating with God in his heart, then can understand why it is so important to have our hearts right when we pray.
 
Vs 13 Do not lead us into temptation…
 
Do not let the powers of this world influence who I am and what I do.
 
Vs14-15 If you forgive...
 
Prayer to an Open God is a way to live our lives in God’s love.
To keep our hearts right before him.
Participation in his will
Inclusive of all life.
 

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