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This LORD'S PRAYER is not just a ritual to rattle through; it is a prayer for those who want to enter into a real relationship with God.
At this time of reflection and new beginnings, we are all invited to enter into this relationship through faith.
The Lord's Prayer also gives us a pattern for our own prayers,and it is hoped that this Internet Page will help you to use it in a meaningful and sincere way.
The LORD'S PRAYER guides us to three things we can learn about God, three things we should pray about his glory and three things we are invited to pray for ourselves.
Three things about the Father.
OUR:
Christians are not just involved in a private hobby; they are part of a global family.
FATHER:
Jesus told a story of a son who left home and messed up his life (Luke Ch15 v11to 32) Click here to read the story Later he was sorry and decided to go home. He found his father waiting to receive him. God is like that caring father, longing for us to come to him.
IN HEAVEN:
not a postal address but a reminder that God is the great God of the galaxies, unlimited by time or space.
Three things about His Glory.
HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME:
- here is the desire that the name of God will not be abused, and that he will be held in honour.
YOUR KINGDOM COME:
- here is the desire that God's love will be in charge of the world - beginning with ourselves.
YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN:
- because God wants the best for us all and he knows best what is for our good. May his will be done in all the details of our lives.
Three requests for our needs.
GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD: - a prayer for HIS PROVISION.
BREAD - stands for the things we need rather than the luxuries we covet
DAILY - warns of the folly of fretting about the future
OUR - reminds us that others have needs too
FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US:
- a prayer for HIS PARDON
We cannot hide from God, but he offers forgiveness to all who want their lives transformed. However, his love cannot enter our hearts without thawing the coldness which refuses to forgive others. If he accepts us, we can accept one another.
SAVE US FROM THE TIME OF TRIAL AND DELIVER US FROM EVIL:
- a prayer for HIS PROTECTION
We can bring to God our natural fear of difficulties, but when trouble comes, we can draw on his power, which, in the cross and resurrection of Jesus, has defeated evil and is available to all Christians by the Holy Spirit.
FOR THE KINGDOM,THE POWER AND THE GLORY ARE YOURS NOW AND FOR EVER:
In the midst of all the changes of a changing world, we remember that God is totally dependable.
AMEN:
- not just "the end" but our own affirmation -" I agree with this - this is MY prayer"
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:
- On your own or in a group!
 What do we learn about God from the phrase,"Our Father in heaven"?
What does it mean to "hallow" God's name?
What is the significance of the phrase, "Our daily bread"?
What is the connection between receiving God's forgiveness and forgiving others?
How can we believe that "the kingdom,the power and the glory" are God's when we see so much pain and so much sin in the world?
In what ways is the Lord's Prayer a pattern (or template) for our prayers?
If you would like to find out where Your local church of Scotland is located and who the minister is please Email:
Iain Morrison
Iain Morrison
Luke 11:
Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" Luke 11:1 - 4. Amen.
Luke 15:11-32.
The Parable of the Lost Son
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" Amen.
© Iain Morrison 1999
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