TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13
Read: Matthew 6:9-13
Listen: Matthew 6
TODAY’S MESSAGE
While teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus uses plural pronouns (our, us, we). The disciples grew up in a more others-minded culture, so this probably felt very natural for them to hear. It would not have surprised them to hear Jesus use so much “community” language. Jesus is teaching them how to each pray for themselves—but he was also teaching them how to pray for each other.
Jesus starts with the words, “Our Father,” recognizing God was not only his Father but the Father of his disciples as well. When he asks for bread, he is concerned not only for his own daily bread but also for those around him. This dynamic goes on for the whole prayer.
We live in a more individualized culture and often pray individually-focused prayers. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as individual prayers are all through the Bible. However, we ought to think beyond ourselves too when we pray. The Lord’s Prayer invites us to pray also for other’s daily bread, forgiveness and deliverance from evil. When we pray for others, we become more aware of the needs of those around us and our hearts grow in compassion. Let us learn from our Savior by opening our eyes and prayers to the needs of those around us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Write out a prayer on a piece of paper, your mobile or in a journal. Take a few minutes to consider what others around you need. Include in your prayer today the needs of someone else. Also, use plural language in your prayer (our, us, we). Finally, finish by reading slowly The Lord’s Prayer.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER
Join us for 40 DAYS OF PRAYER where all of us will find a quiet space and slowly read The Lord’s Prayer. May forty days of praying like Jesus prayed, and desiring what Jesus wanted, make a big difference in our hearts and our communities.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on 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 yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is John 7.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
