What do we do when we can’t find the words to pray? This was the question the first disciples asked Jesus (see Luke 11:1), and it is often our question too. His answer to them forms what we call the “Lord’s Prayer” (see Matthew 6:9-13).
This is the second in a three part series which invites you to look deeper into this prayer which is most often included in all kinds of worship services. The Lord’s Prayer is translated into more languages than any other prayer, and forms the backbone of worship prayers in more Christian worship traditions worldwide than any other.
The Lord’s Prayer begins “Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…”
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
This part may seem odd, but is probably one of the most simple to understand – God’s provision. It is an acknowledgment that though we may work hard, it is God who ultimately provides our needs. Providing our daily bread is more than meeting our physical needs, it is satisfying the needs of the spirit, soul, mind and heart.
God knows our spiritual, emotional, intellectual and relationship needs. I know God understands when I am distracted by things of the world, needy, bored or lonely. When I pray this prayer, I know God answers with renewal, assurance, challenging work and friendships. May you also see God’s powerful and complete provision as you pray.
“Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”
“…forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” Forgiveness, that’s when we recognize that we (and all other human beings) are human – and so imperfect! It is not the same as “forget-ness.”
God expects us to acknowledge our humanity, and thus our need for relationship with God and acceptance of God’s amazing Gift of Jesus, the Christ, our Lord and Savior. He IS perfect, and He WILL give us all we need to grow into the children of God we were created to become.
God expects us to use the brains God created us with to learn (not forget) from our struggles and mistakes. It’s WHAT we learn that is the key. When we come to God, do we accept and claim the fact that we are forgiven – human, imperfect and needing the grace and wisdom given us in Christ? If not, what keeps us from accepting the grace of God’s loving forgiveness?
And, are we able to forgive others? Are we able to allow others to be human and imperfect (like us, sometimes spectacularly so)? Isn’t it remarkable that Jesus linked being forgiven and forgiving others? Do we understand that in fully accepting forgiveness, it frees us to forgive others?
Forgiveness is a powerful and effective path to peace – peace in our relationship with God and peace in our relationship others. If you are struggling to forgive another, prayerfully consider how God has forgiven you and embrace that forgiveness. As you do so, you may more easily be able to forgive those who have wronged you.