Scripture
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name.”—Matthew 6:9
Reflection
Perhaps the best known verbal prayer in Christianity began as a
simple, yet sincere request by one of Jesus’ disciples, “Lord, teach us
how to pray.” What followed became more than just a lesson in what a
prayer should be. It became a prayer in its own right, handed down through
the Christian oral tradition until it was written into the New Testament.
For some of us, it is the first prayer we learned, and maybe even the only
prayer we have memorized. Yet, how many of us truly understand that the
Lord’s Prayer is also a lesson in prayer? Let’s consider this prayer and
how it can inform our praying. The following is taken from the Inspired
Version:
“Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.”—This is a time
for praising God and more. For the word father used here is very
personal, more like a “my Papa” then the usual meaning of “Father” would
imply. So we bring our thanks and praise.
Action: Sing a hymn of praise or recite a psalm of praise.
“Thy kingdom come.”—This is a prayer for the coming of Zion, the
peaceable kingdom, shalom, or God’s reign on earth.
Action: Pray that as we form a World Conference community, we will
have a fuller understanding of Zion and shalom.
“Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.”—Here is a
prayer for God’s will to be done. This could be a difficult prayer,
since it indicates the need for our repentance. But it is powerful if
prayed on a daily basis.
Action: What are the attributes of “heaven on earth”? Pray for
God’s help in understanding Zion.
“Give us this day, our daily bread.”—We are reminded that God
provides all that we have.
Action: Offer intercessory prayer on behalf of those you know to be
in need.
“And forgive us our trespasses”—When we enter God’s presence, we
become immediately aware of our own sinfulness.
Action: Ask forgiveness for those things in your life that are
separating you from the Divine.
“As we forgive those who trespass against us.”—God forgives us and we
must follow this example and forgive others.
Action: Ask God for strength to be able to forgive those who have
wounded you.
“And suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from
evil.”—This is a prayer that we may trust the Spirit’s guidance and
support when we are tempted to turn our backs to God.
Action: Pray for discernment that decisions may be made with the
Spirit’s guidance.
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and
ever”—Ending with praise is a powerful way to go forth from a prayer.
Action: Turn to the Psalms or a hymn and express your praise out
loud!
“Amen.”—This word is Greek for “so be it.” It is an act of confirming
that the words of the prayer should now become part of us—real and
incarnate.
Action: What difference does this prayer make in your life? How can
these words be made real through you?
As Jesus shared this prayer with his disciples, there is a sense that
he was sharing a personal and precious part of himself and helping us all
to better understand our relationship with God.
Action
Go through the nine steps above. Use the Lord’s Prayer as a template
for your own prayer experience.
Prayer
Pray the Lord’s Prayer aloud, keeping in mind the needs and challenges
facing the church. Ask that God’s will be done through the actions and
activities of the World Conference.
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