“Good teachers live for teachable moments when their students are eager to learn, and Jesus was the consummate teacher who saw every common day occurrence…as potential teachable moments. Even Jesus’ enemies conferred upon him the respected title of Rabbi; Good Teacher.”
SAN ANTONIO (PRWEB)
September 19, 2019
Teachable Moments: Theological Reflections from The World’s Most Familiar Prayer is an eye-opening read for anyone who has questions about prayer, regardless of cultural or religious background. Author Johnny White shares that people have a need for prayer as a form of asking for help or unburdening themselves, whether or not they believe in the existence of God. At some point, even non-devout people resort to prayer during times of crisis.
Another point the author shares is how much there is to learn from paying closer attention to the Lord’s Prayer. Its words are known to billions of people worldwide, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s true that this prayer shows people how to honor God, but it also encourages everyone to nurture a loving relationship with Him as his or her Father rather than view Him as a divine being to be feared. This prayer also teaches people that they might not get what they want upon asking for it, but that God knows all of His children and will provide what they need in His perfect timing.
For one to truly learn, he or she must have a good teacher and the willingness to listen. “Good teachers live for teachable moments when their students are eager to learn, and Jesus was the consummate teacher who saw every common day occurrence—from birds in the air, to flowers in the field, to seeds wastefully spread on the hard ground—as potential teachable moments. Even Jesus’ enemies conferred upon him the respected title of Rabbi; Good Teacher.” Jesus took every opportunity to preach in public places where the common folk and sinners of society would hear His parables depicting daily events representing the Kingdom of God.
The Lord’s Prayer teaches the value of forgiveness over the pursuit of revenge, and the author says that it is one of the most difficult yet essential acts to practice. While self-forgiveness and reconciliation with others can hurt, the resulting freedom from self-destructive behavior and guilt is indescribable. This great act of forgiveness would not be possible either if it weren’t for God’s great act of love: sacrificing His only Son on the cross to save humanity from sin. It is only because of His example that people are capable of forgiveness in the first place.
There is much to learn from the Lord’s Prayer other than the words in it, but it’s up to the faithful if they will open their hearts to God’s will. “Commit your unknown future, fraught with potential temptations, into the hands of God our Father who wants only the best for you. Then once again, in a loud and clear voice, pledge your allegiance to the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory of God—first and foremost. These are presumptive Teachable Moments from the world’s most familiar prayer. Depart from them only with great caution.”
Reverend Johnny White, author of Teachable Moments, served for more than 25 years helping married couples and single adults as Senior Associate Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. After that, he served another 12 years as a pastor and senior pastor of the interdenominational church at Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He retired in May 2017 but continues volunteering with his wife, Patricia, in church and community programs.
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