Lord’s Day 35: Q&A 96-98: Pray Only to God

I was going to continue the trend of titling these posts as ‘no other. . .’ that I began last week, but then I remembered that part of what we’re going for is to reframe the Ten Commandments in a positive fashion, so we’re going with ‘Pray Only to God’ rather than ‘no images/idols.’

This commandment, much like its numerical cousin amendment of the US Constitution, is perhaps the most fought over. Sure, all Christians can agree that this commandment forbids idolatry, especially when taken in context of the Ancient Near East and the people of Israel to whom this commandment was originally given, but what does this commandment tell us about icons? Depictions of Jesus?

The question of whether or not Jesus can be depicted is often what the arguments around this commandment hinge on. Sure, Jesus is God and therefore shouldn’t be portrayed, but also Jesus was made incarnate as a human and people saw him. Were they breaking this commandment by looking at him?

Regardless, the overall point of this commandment is that we are to pray only to God and not to any idols or images, and certainly the original audience would have understood this to be forbidding statues of gods such as were present around the pagan cultures around them.

Lord’s Day 35

Q&A 96-98

GOD’S LAW

Again, these can simply be read responsively for this portion of the service.

Q&A 96-97

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

One and only God, we come before you as people who have not worshiped you properly. While we have not created physical idols or statues to bow before, we have made idols in our lives that we have put above you. We confess that we have bowed down before the idols of money, status, and power, among others. We confess that we have put these things before you, even though you command us to worship you alone. Forgive us for thinking ourselves to be wiser than you. Have mercy on us, O God, and forgive us for prostrating ourselves at the feet of the idols that our culture worships, rather than casting ourselves at your feet. Amen.

Q&A 98

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Romans 10:14-15)

Lord our God, as we prepare to open your word today, may we truly hear you and only you, that we may believe. May you proclaim your word to us today and send us out to bring your good news. Instruct us with your wisdom, O God. Speak to us, Holy Spirit. Amen.