Tuesday 03 March 2009

Background

In this passage, Jesus is saying that when people pray out loud,and carry out their worship for all to see, their words assume nosignificance. This babbling style of prayer would not do. Jesuswanted people to have a meaningful dialogue with God the Father andso he taught them (and us) a prayer that would last until the endof time.

The "Our Father" in Matthew's reporting of this prayer illustratesthat we share God as 'Father'.

"Hallowed be your name" was an expression of hope in God and thekingdom.

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is inheaven." For some, this is a reference to living out God's call forus. Living it out now on earth, as it is in heaven. The way thisprayer refers to the kingdom of God would have been illuminating tothe original listeners and readers - particularly if they were justbabbling in prayer.

"Give us this day our daily bread" may have been a reference to theway God provided the Israelites with manna every day in thewilderness (Exodus16:4-6). Manna was bread that could not be stored, so theydepended daily on God to provide for them. This is the same for ustoday, be it food, strength or any other personal need.

"But rescue us from the evil one." For the original listeners thisreferred to 'general' evil.

The Lord's Prayer, as this prayer is commonly known, fulfils itsfunction and purpose by bringing the focus to God, the kingdom andour calling to be good disciples of Jesus.

To Ponder

How do you pray? Is it with your heart or yourhead? Or by some other way?

How important is it to know the Lord's Prayer offby heart? Why?

Is there a new way that you can learn and praythe Lord's Prayer? Song? Sign language? Dance? Pictures?

During this time of Lent, could you teach theLord's Prayer to someone else, possibly in a new way?