When the disciples were with Jesus they asked Him how they should pray. He said this to them: “pray like this-Our father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done as in heaven so on earth. Give us day by day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” This is King James version from Luke
NIV and New Revised Standard from Luke says it this way.:
“Father hallowed be your name your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive everyone who is indebted to us and do not bring us to a time of trial ”
If we go to Matthew Chapter 6, the translations begin to agree. Here is what they say:
Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever. Amen
Yes there are some differences even in the Matthew account of Jesus’ lesson on prayer. But Jesus has give us a pattern for prayer. First to praise him and “hallow” his name. We want to first recognize the righteousness and holiness of God. Second is to pray our priorities. That is to acknowledge the wonderful kingdom around us and to celebrate the reign of Christ. Third
is prayer for provision. That is the time to bring your petitions to God. Prayers for others and for guidance etc. Fourth is to acknowledge our debts ( or trespasses) and to forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us) Fifth is asking God for protection from temptation and evil. Sixth is again recognizing the power and glory of God.
We have probably learned this prayer as youngsters and say it every Sunday and maybe at funerals . But the problem is that it has become so routine that I question, are we praying it with our heart or just our mind. If we can internalize this prayer the pattern of all your prayers will be what Jesus gave us to follow.
I have just subscribed to a prayer study by Dr. David Jeremiah that is excellent. It is a 6-7 week study. I am anxious to delve deeper into this prayer and the pattern for us through a group study. If you might be interested , please contact me at my blog address or my email address ozarak1937@gmail.com
Ozarkparson's Blog 
July 26, 2017 at 5:42 pm |
I totally agree that many times this prayer is said without really thinking about what it means. Kinda like the rosary is said at a wake. anyway, I really try to reflect on each line when I say this prayer. Thanks for the blog.