Monday 17 February 2025

Psalm 150

Background
The disciples listening to Jesus’ teaching would have regularly prayed in worship at the synagogue. The reading today is known as the Lord’s Prayer and it can be seen as a scaffolding for personal prayer. It is an insight into Jesus’ own prayer, where communing with God flows into effective action.

All of us go through varied prayer experiences. We may offer desperate pleas for help in difficulties or earnest requests for projects to run smoothly. We all have to learn to stop long enough to allow God’s presence to suffuse us and stir up our love. For all of us, there are ups, downs and 'round abouts'.

In verse 9 Jesus frames our prayer. We did not create ourselves, or this world. We are dependent on the energies of God holding the universe in being. This is true perspective. Jesus teaches us to call the mystery of God, 'Father'. We are family. Known. Loved. We have our place. But we are also part of an enormous whole, that's not run just for our benefit.

You can read Psalm 150 as an adjunct to the Lord's Prayer. It's full of jubilant praise to the amazing energies of God in every corner of the universe, visible in the greatness of what comes into being through God.

Going back to the Lord's Prayer, Verse 10 is saying whatever God’s kingdom looks like today for us it comes as we relinquish control. It arrives through an allowing of God’s ways. If we can trust God’s love, God's loving will for the world will come to earth through us in surprising ways.

"Give us this day our daily bread." (v. 11) Praying for bread acknowledges that to live we all need basic things that sustain living.

In verses 12, 14 and 15 Jesus puts great focus on the forgiveness of debts. No-one in this life remains completely ‘sorted', we all make frequent mistakes and need to start again many times a day.

Jesus tells us that God’s forgiveness is freely available to us. Stopping us from receiving forgiveness are toxic thoughts and emotions about ourselves and others, which block the channels of God’s love flowing through us. Harbouring anger, envy, lust, greed, self-accusation and self-pity limits our ability to receive God’s grace to start again.

Forgiveness is not pretending something has not happened. It is not allowing something that has happened to define who we are, as we trust in our identity as children of God.

Verse 13 is a prayer to resist the temptations that might capsize us, and to protect us from ensnaring evil.

To Ponder:

• Can you share ways you have prayed the Lord’s Prayer which brought it freshly alive for you?
• If you see the Lord’s Prayer as a scaffolding for personal prayer, which sections do you often miss out and why?
• Think of a situation or story which brings home to you why Jesus insisted on the importance of your need to forgive others to live into your own forgiveness.

Prayer
God of new beginnings, teach us to pray in such a way that we allow the energy of your fresh starts to be sown wherever we go. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Jenny Ellis
Jenny is a supernumerary Methodist minister. She facilitates a mindfulness community based at her local surgery and also online. She also leads quiet days and contemplative study days. This year's series of online contemplative days entitled Beginnings will be based on the first three chapters of Genesis.