Prayer Prompts

Roger Hornbeck February 13, 2024

Welcome to the Prayer Garden

DSBC is exploring Jesus’ sermon, affectionately called The Sermon on the Mount. The structure of this sermon begins with ten statements about Jesus’ vision of who is blessed, revealing the intention behind the “Law” given by Moses. In the Matthew account, Jesus frames His sermon around the characteristics of life in His Kingdom. The Law given by Moses provided the framework for life in the new nation of Israel, identifying correct behavior and laws governing that behavior. In contrast, Jesus identifies the heart underneath correct beliefs and behavior.

For this sermon series, the reflections cover the entire text of the Sermon on the Mount. Use the reflections you resonate with, and don’t feel compelled to use all the reflections during a single visit to the Garden. It takes time to slow our minds and hearts, allowing the words of Jesus to reveal the deepest longings, struggles, and thoughts of our hearts. It is our prayer that you would not only experience the words of Jesus, but also His life-giving presence.

The Prayer Garden provides the perfect setting for reflection on the state of our hearts. Allow the silence and freedom of time to open your heart to Jesus’ invitations through the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Remember that God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) deeply loves you and eagerly longs to spend time with you, their precious child. These prompts can also be used at home or other reflection spaces.

The Beatitudes
¹ When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. ² He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
⁵ “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Reflection

Read through the first eleven verses of Matthew 5. What are your first responses to the list of those who are blessed? Do any resonate with you more than others? Which identifies you as you pursue God? Which do you struggle with?

When reading this passage, imagine yourself sitting on the grass around Jesus as He is teaching. He turns and looks at you with a big smile. What would you say to him?

Finally, sit in silence and notice the thoughts, images, and feelings you are experiencing. Share them with Jesus. What do you sense He might be saying to you? Record your experience in the Garden and what impact it might have on you as you leave the Garden.

Verses 13-20
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
¹⁷ “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
²⁰ “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Reflections

Jesus begins this section with the image of salt and light to picture the purpose of His Disciples in the world.

What strikes you about the image of Salt and Light?
What does salt and light look like in your life?
Do you struggle with being salt and light? If so, what does that look like?
What would Jesus say to you today about being salt and light in your world?

Jesus addresses a Jewish crowd shaped by the teachings of the Old Testament Law. While appealing to the Law, Jesus challenged the typical ways in which it is applied. Laws address behavior, not beliefs and perspectives. For example, the speed limit of 50 miles/hour is a law. The exhortation not to drive angrily or in a hurry requires the driver to consider their attitude while driving. How do you respond to this distinction between behavior and attitude?

Again, sit in silence and notice the thoughts, images, and feelings you are experiencing. Share them with Jesus. What do you sense He might be saying to you? Record your experience in the Garden and what impact it might have on you as you leave the Garden.

Verses 21-26
²¹ “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. ²³ Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. ²⁵ Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

Reflection

Relationships are hard, and it seems impossible to avoid responses like frustration, confusion, and even anger. Again, Jesus took an action addressed by the Law, murder, and looked at its source. He identifies anger and declares that anger is as serious as murder. What do you think links murder to anger? To understand the core of Jesus’ teaching, anger needs to be understood. Take a moment to reflect on your understanding of anger. How would you explain anger? When would anger become “murder”?

Sit in silence and notice the thoughts, images, and feelings you are experiencing. Share them with Jesus. What do you sense He might be saying to you? Record your experience in the Garden and what impact it might have on you as you leave the Garden.

Verses 27-32
²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; ²⁸ but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
³¹ “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; ³² but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Reflection
How does Jesus understand adultery? Is it simply a physical act, or is it more sinister? Can adultery reside in the heart and never become physical? What forms adultery in a person’s heart? How do we resist and challenge heart adultery?

Divorce is a charged word, and Jesus is not saying all that could be said. However, Jesus appears to limit the exercise of divorce. In Jesus’ Jewish world, divorce was only an option for men. When considering the context of adultery, why might Jesus also address the issue of divorce?

Verses 33-37
³³ “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. ³⁶ Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

Reflection

Each statement Jesus makes calls His followers to a specific way of being in the world and with each other. Jesus continues to point to the heart as the true source of who we are. In verses 33 through 37, Jesus confronts a way we assert ourselves with vows. Vows are an external statement to express the intentions of our hearts. On the surface, this seems reasonable; however, Jesus confronts this practice. Rather than claiming honesty, be honest. When you say yes, others should be able to trust you. The same should be true when you say no. How would this simple practice impact our relationships? Do you struggle with your ‘yes’ being a genuine ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ being a genuine ‘no’? Why?

Verses 38-42
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. ⁴¹ Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Reflection

When I read this section, I protest, “Jesus, this seems unreasonable and unnecessary.” Don’t I deserve justice? Jesus, won’t this encourage others to abuse me! How would you respond to Jesus? Finally, sit in silence and notice the thoughts, images, and feelings you are experiencing. Share them with Jesus. What do you sense He might be saying to you? Record your experience in the Garden and what impact it might have on you as you leave the Garden.

Verses 44-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflection

Jesus continues to explain what it means to follow Him. He raises the question: Who am I responsible for loving? The common understanding was that loving those in my circle was not optional, but loving enemies —outsiders — was optional. However, this is not God’s way. God loved His enemies and even died for His enemies. His children can do nothing less. What makes it hard to love your enemies? What would be some characteristics of loving your enemies?

Verses 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. ² “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Reflection

Jesus warns against allowing our life with and for the Father to become a way of impressing others. The way we live reflects the nature of the God we serve. The connection with God is lost when we use our “good actions” to be the means of giving us a better reputation with others. How have you experienced this common struggle?

Verses 5-15
⁵ “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
⁷ “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
⁹ “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]
¹⁴ For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Reflection

Jesus teaches us that prayer is neither magical nor a means to gain social standing. Jesus exposes the manipulative nature of the religious leaders and the Gentile desire for magical power. Prayer is simply connecting with our God, sharing our hearts, and listening to His. How would you explain prayer? What is your relationship with prayer: friend, mystery, frightening, home, etc.?

Verses 16-24
“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face ¹⁸ so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
²² “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
²⁴ “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Reflection

In this section of Jesus’ sermon, He continues to draw attention to the condition of our hearts and the motives behind our religious practices. At the core of this section is the warning that you cannot serve two masters. Jesus offers three examples of competing masters: fasting for human approval versus fasting for divine approval, amassing earthly treasures versus accumulating heavenly treasures, and having eyes with distorted vision. The questions are simple yet critical. How do you see these competing masters at work around you and in your own heart? What feeds the competition? How do we encourage following God over the desires of the “world”?

Verses 25-34
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ²⁷ And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸ And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Do not worry then , saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflection

It is said that Americans are among the most anxious people in the world. Where would you place your anxiety level on a scale of 1 to 10? What kinds of issues create anxiety for you? How does Jesus explain anxiety? Does His perspective address your anxiety? What does Jesus offer for handling personal anxiety?

Verses 7:1-6
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. ² For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
⁶ “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Reflection

Jesus offers two reasons for not judging others. First, judgment is a two-edged sword. How we judge others will be used to judge us. Second, judging others becomes an easy way of avoiding judging ourselves. What’s your relationship with judging? Is it easy to judge others? Does this get in the way of being honest about yourself? Can you identify ways you judge others and the reasons behind your judgments?

Verses 7-12

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
¹² “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Reflection

Verses 7 through 12 are two of the most frequently quoted sayings of Jesus. They present two ideas: the importance of prayer and the Golden Rule. Don’t let their familiarity minimize their profound implications for living with each other. What is your first response to Jesus’ teaching about prayer? What is your response and questions about Jesus’ claims for prayer offered in this passage? Jesus offers a summary statement explaining how we are to treat others. What are your responses to Jesus?

Verses 13-23

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. ¹⁴ For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
¹⁵ “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? ¹⁷ So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ So then, you will know them by their fruits.
²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

Reflection

As Jesus comes to the end of His sermon, He warns His audience that to follow Him is a choice. He illustrates the two choices

as the difference between the wide and narrow gates, false prophets and Himself, and good and bad fruit. What are your responses to His closing challenge to choose well? How have you been challenged? How have you been encouraged?

Verses 24-29
²⁴ “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
²⁸ When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; ²⁹ for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 5:1 – 7:29

Reflection

Jesus closes by illustrating the contrast between following Him, which is life-giving, and the alternative, which is death. Death is the result of rejecting Him and His way of living. What does it mean to sense that what Jesus taught comes with authority? As you end your time in the Garden, sit in silence and notice the thoughts, images, and feelings you are experiencing. Share them with Jesus. What do you sense He might be saying to you? Record your experience in the Garden and what impact it might have on you as you leave the Garden.