How do we pray in the midst of troubled times? The prayer that Jesus prayed is as relevant today as it was when he first taught his disciples to pray it! This weekend Pastor Steve Andres started the second half of our (RE)FORMATION series from the Sermon On the Mount.
Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
The prayer follows the movement of the Great Commandment: love God and love others.
1) OUR FATHER
Is your relationship with God a business or a family relationship? Calling on God as our Father is not transactional, it is based on trust.
2) MAY YOUR NAME BE HOLY
Remembering who God is means that we set apart space in our hearts and lives that honors him above all others.
3) MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN
Jesus announced the arrival of God’s kingdom, as well as the forgiveness and life that came with it. Our prayer is to look and long for that work to continue.
4) GIVE US BREAD TODAY
To acknowledge our need for God’s provision is an antidote to the lie of self-sufficiency.
5) FORGIVE US AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS
This is the only point that Jesus elaborates, because it is often the most difficult for us. The number one indicator that we have been forgiven is that we freely forgive.
6) LEAD US OUT OF TEMPTATION AND RESCUE US FROM EVIL
Jesus modeled this in the garden of Gethsemane. He prayed that God would spare him from the test in front of him, but he trusted that God would deliver him.
7) FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND POWER AND GLORY FOREVER
We have the opportunity to daily be shaped by the prayer that Jesus prayed. Praying it is an indispensable practice for someone who has chosen to BE WITH JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and DO AS JESUS DID!
