This week I’m preaching on the Ten Commandments. I was thinking to myself as I prepared for this blog post, “How could I incorporate the Ten Commandments in prayer?” In reading a commentary article on Exodus 20, I was given an answer.
The Ten Commandments have been interpreted by some to be a kind of call-and-response between God and God’s people.
In Exodus 19:8, when Moses introduces the people to their new covenant with God, they respond, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” A covenant is a relationship agreement, and the Ten Commandments are the central part of the terms to that agreement. But this is not a one-way street – it is not only God who gives these commandments. In this article, it is said that some believe the people of God respond to each of God’s commandments with the affirmative “Yes, we will do that,” or “No, we will not do that.”
So, let’s try that. Let’s pray by responding to the Ten Commandments:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no others gods before me.”
Yes, you are the Lord my God. No, I will have no other gods before You.
“You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.”
No, I will make no idols. I will not bow down to or worship any idols.
“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.”
No, I will not use the Lord’s name wrongfully.
“Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work”
Yes, I will always remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. No, I will not work on the seventh day.
“Honor your father and your mother.
Yes, I will honor them.
“You shall not murder.”
No, I will not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.”
No, I will not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.”
No, I will not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
No, I will not lie.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
No, I will not covet.
Lord, hear our prayers. We receive these commandments and affirm through our response that we will always seek to honor them. In doing so, we honor and glorify you. Help us, Holy Spirit, from breaking these commandments and in doing so, living lives that always point to the loving, just, and merciful God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Pastor Drew's Desk 