“The Lord’s Prayer” – An Internal Contemplation

Whether you are a “believer” or a “non-believer”, by now you have heard of or recited “The Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father” prayer in one form or another in your life. This instructive guidance from Jesus to His disciples is documented in two versions, one in Luke’s gospel and one in Matthew’s gospel (the longer version), which is most prevalent in today’s liturgies.

Both versions provide the perfect model for how to pray to God by offering praise, petitions, and surrender to God’s will for our lives. I believe this prayer parallels the instruction Jesus gave His disciples in Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) to “Ask, Seek, and Knock”; “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”   Using the words from the Lord’s Prayer, we can see how to praise God in our asking from a humble heart. We can also see how to layout our petitions in knocking on God’s door for His answers. And we can  surrender to God’s will by seeking His guidance for finding our way along our journey of life.

Bringing these two different, but harmonizing Scripture passages together, I offer the following internal meditation (in parenthesis) I often use when I am reciting the Lord’s Prayer.  I’m sure you have a unique version as well.

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. (My God, my Almighty Father, who lives and reigns in heaven, and by your Holy Spirit, lives also in me. Great is your holy name, O God!)

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. (May your kingdom’s commandments and guidance be my daily instruction for living to fulfill your purpose for my life in serving you and others.)

Give us this day, our daily bread (Thank you for providing for my daily needs of food, shelter, clothing, work, health, security, financial blessings, and love.)

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us (Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness of my sinfulness and encouraging me to forgive the sins of others who offend, hate, persecute, oppress, deceive, and hurt me. Thank you for helping me release my unforgiveness and find peace for my soul.)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Protect me and those I love, by keeping us on your righteous path, and away from all temptations and evils.)

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever (All praise, honor and glory be yours, as your kingdom reigns forever and ever.) Amen.”

Live, Love, and Grow in Jesus!!

Blessings,

Jerry