Matthew 6:9-13
9 "After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (KJV)
Over the years, a commonly held view is that these passages should be referred to as "The Lord's Prayer." I believe the reasoning is that since Jesus gave this example, it is only appropriate to credit it to Him. Much like an author is credited when quoting his/her work.
For years I have held a different view. I contend that this is actually the believer's prayer which contains all of the elements of proper prayer, and because Jesus said, "When you pray...pray this way."
I know there are various views, but I personally believe John 17 to be "the Lord's Prayer," especially as He cries out from His heart for the world to see the UNITY OF THE BELIEVERS.
On this Father's Day, I want to point out the first five words of the prayer He taught us to pray.
"Our Father which art in heaven"
From the very beginning, Jesus was reminding us that we all have a Father who loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and never takes His eyes off of us. A Father who paid the ultimate price so that we can be reconciled with Himself and a promise that there is a place prepared for us for all of eternity (John 14).
I am grateful that I had an earthly father who loved me, and worked hard to provide for our family. He died too early, long before I understood how a son should treat his father, and long before I really knew how to appreciate everything he did. He wasn't a perfect man and the Lord knows that I am not, but he loved me.
The Scripture teaches us that God a distant deity in heaven waiting for me to get out of line so He can strike me with lightning. Instead He desires that we see Him for Who He is, a Father...our Father, who moved all of heaven to form that relationship.
I hope that on this Father's Day, you will experience His love.
Happy Father's Day
9 "After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (KJV)
Over the years, a commonly held view is that these passages should be referred to as "The Lord's Prayer." I believe the reasoning is that since Jesus gave this example, it is only appropriate to credit it to Him. Much like an author is credited when quoting his/her work.
For years I have held a different view. I contend that this is actually the believer's prayer which contains all of the elements of proper prayer, and because Jesus said, "When you pray...pray this way."
I know there are various views, but I personally believe John 17 to be "the Lord's Prayer," especially as He cries out from His heart for the world to see the UNITY OF THE BELIEVERS.
On this Father's Day, I want to point out the first five words of the prayer He taught us to pray.
"Our Father which art in heaven"
From the very beginning, Jesus was reminding us that we all have a Father who loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and never takes His eyes off of us. A Father who paid the ultimate price so that we can be reconciled with Himself and a promise that there is a place prepared for us for all of eternity (John 14).
I am grateful that I had an earthly father who loved me, and worked hard to provide for our family. He died too early, long before I understood how a son should treat his father, and long before I really knew how to appreciate everything he did. He wasn't a perfect man and the Lord knows that I am not, but he loved me.
The Scripture teaches us that God a distant deity in heaven waiting for me to get out of line so He can strike me with lightning. Instead He desires that we see Him for Who He is, a Father...our Father, who moved all of heaven to form that relationship.
I hope that on this Father's Day, you will experience His love.
Happy Father's Day
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