The Lord's Prayer

I don’t usually post my own thoughts or articles on this blog but I felt the need to do so today. Every morning I take a walk and listen to various messages that I’ve downloaded on my phone. As I was walking and listening, I was compelled to shut off the audio and pray what is referred to as the Lord’s prayer. 

It seemed that this prayer took on crystal clear meaning to me in these chaotic times which I believe are about to become darker. Let me explain. 

When I was young it was common to recite this prayer and I mostly did it without thinking too much of the words. I think many people today do the same thing. We’re told in the Word not pray with vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7). Many commentaries say that this prayer is just an example of how we should pray. It was not meant to be prayed repetitiously. 

Be that as it may, the prayer is from our Lord. It’s a perfect prayer! It is succinct and covers all the main ingredients we need to worship and petition our God. 

Our Father in heaven, 

(we are talking to our Father… He is listening!) 

Hallowed be Your name. 

(Holy and revered is His name. Be worshipful and reverent not careless!) 

Your kingdom come. 

(Come Lord Jesus (Maranatha) and make your kingdom manifest on the earth) 

Your will be done 

(may your sovereign will be done in our own lives, the church,) 

On earth as it is in heaven.

(and the whole world) 

Give us this day our daily bread.

(The times may come when we will be needy. Please provide for our needs) 

And forgive us our debts,

(We sin daily. Please forgive us.) 

As we forgive our debtors.

(We instinctively want to repay evil for evil but the Word says repay evil with blessing. 1 Peter 3:9, Romans 12:17, 1 Thes. 5:15) 

And do not lead us into temptation,

(Pray that God would spare us from testing and trials) 

But deliver us from the evil one.

(and that He will put a hedge of protection around us from Satan. Job 1:10) 

For Yours is the kingdom

(Many omit this doxology because it doesn’t appear in the earliest manuscripts)

and the power and the glory forever. 

(but it’s a great paraphrase from 1 Chronicles 29:11) 

Amen.

 (So it is; so be it. Or, This is true.)