Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily Bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Oh Friends, what a simple, but powerful, moving prayer! But it amuses me the way God moves in my life. Driving home on the highway, in the pouring rain, around ten o’clock tonight, my thoughts suddenly turned to what I’d do about the Bit if I had an accident. What might be a relatively easy Bit to write, and if I’m in bad shape, whom I’d get to write it? It’s unthinkable that the Bit doesn’t go out every day. (smile) In answer to my rumination, the Lord’s Prayer popped up. I chuckled, considered it for a moment, then put it aside and concentrated on the driving. On getting home though, I forgot all about it, and was about to write on another topic when my mind was jarred back to it. And here we are now discussing, probably the most enduring pronouncement of Jesus. Don’t you just admire how our God operates? But since time and space are at a premium, we might have to continue it tomorrow. It’s a part of His Sermon on the Mount, where He laid out His basic philosophy to His disciples and the large crowd gathered around. Concerning prayer, He advised them not to do it publicly for show, to seem righteous in the eyes of others, as the hypocrite Jewish elite were wont to do, but to find a quiet, peaceful place and pray thus: ‘Our Father which art in heaven…’ It’s unique from the start, since that wording was uncommon in the Old Testament prayers. And heaven seems to be both real and important to Jesus, for he continually refers to it: ‘…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘glorify your Father which is in heaven…’ …the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘…ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…’ (Mat.5:10,16,19,21) Then He continues the prayer; ‘Hallowed be thy name.’ This does two things; turns the attention of the prayer to the Father, and also shows awe, reverence and respect for His Name and who He is. ‘For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name…for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Mal.1:11) Yes Friends, the Lord takes great pride in His Name. Jesus knew it and so included the reverential aspect with the name. ‘Thy kingdom come.’ An assertion of faith. God’s kingdom, under the Jesus, the Messiah’s rule, is yet to come, but come it will, and we’re to pray for it, while waiting expectantly. ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’ God’s will should be paramount in the universe He created. And here on earth, believers need to pray for the faith and strength to achieve that goal. Jesus exemplifies this in the Garden of Gethsemane, during His time of anguish, before the crucifixion, when He prayed, ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Mat.26:42) Bruh David says; ‘The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.’ (Ps.103:19-20) Yes People, the Lord made it all, and all of it must do His will. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Jesus is saying to ask for whatever we need or require on a daily basis; whether it be food, health or strength, to nourish our souls, minds and bodies, so we can do His bidding. Jesus’ listeners would surely have understood the concept of daily nourishment from the story of the Israelites wanderings in the desert, when the Lord fed them manna daily. As Solomon said: ‘…give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.’ (Prov.30:8) That Friends is all we require. And I’ve given you enough food for thought today. (smile) Till tomorrow. Much LOVE!…if we ask in faith…the Lord will grant with mercy…
Oh Friends, what a simple, but powerful, moving prayer! But it amuses me the way God moves in my life. Driving home on the highway, in the pouring rain, around ten o’clock tonight, my thoughts suddenly turned to what I’d do about the Bit if I had an accident. What might be a relatively easy Bit to write, and if I’m in bad shape, whom I’d get to write it? It’s unthinkable that the Bit doesn’t go out every day. (smile) In answer to my rumination, the Lord’s Prayer popped up. I chuckled, considered it for a moment, then put it aside and concentrated on the driving. On getting home though, I forgot all about it, and was about to write on another topic when my mind was jarred back to it. And here we are now discussing, probably the most enduring pronouncement of Jesus. Don’t you just admire how our God operates? But since time and space are at a premium, we might have to continue it tomorrow. It’s a part of His Sermon on the Mount, where He laid out His basic philosophy to His disciples and the large crowd gathered around. Concerning prayer, He advised them not to do it publicly for show, to seem righteous in the eyes of others, as the hypocrite Jewish elite were wont to do, but to find a quiet, peaceful place and pray thus: ‘Our Father which art in heaven…’ It’s unique from the start, since that wording was uncommon in the Old Testament prayers. And heaven seems to be both real and important to Jesus, for he continually refers to it: ‘…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘glorify your Father which is in heaven…’ …the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘…ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven…’ (Mat.5:10,16,19,21) Then He continues the prayer; ‘Hallowed be thy name.’ This does two things; turns the attention of the prayer to the Father, and also shows awe, reverence and respect for His Name and who He is. ‘For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name…for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Mal.1:11) Yes Friends, the Lord takes great pride in His Name. Jesus knew it and so included the reverential aspect with the name. ‘Thy kingdom come.’ An assertion of faith. God’s kingdom, under the Jesus, the Messiah’s rule, is yet to come, but come it will, and we’re to pray for it, while waiting expectantly. ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’ God’s will should be paramount in the universe He created. And here on earth, believers need to pray for the faith and strength to achieve that goal. Jesus exemplifies this in the Garden of Gethsemane, during His time of anguish, before the crucifixion, when He prayed, ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Mat.26:42) Bruh David says; ‘The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.’ (Ps.103:19-20) Yes People, the Lord made it all, and all of it must do His will. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Jesus is saying to ask for whatever we need or require on a daily basis; whether it be food, health or strength, to nourish our souls, minds and bodies, so we can do His bidding. Jesus’ listeners would surely have understood the concept of daily nourishment from the story of the Israelites wanderings in the desert, when the Lord fed them manna daily. As Solomon said: ‘…give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.’ (Prov.30:8) That Friends is all we require. And I’ve given you enough food for thought today. (smile) Till tomorrow. Much LOVE!…if we ask in faith…the Lord will grant with mercy…
SCRIP-BITS 