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Scripture:
Matthew 6:9
Translations
New International Version
Good News Version
Authorised King James Version
John Darby Version
Meditation:
Much has been written on the very nature and substance of the
Lord Prayer. What I offer may not be entirely original. Nor may
it be overly full of new revelations. They are only my thoughts
on the words that Jesus had taught his disciples and followers.
Reflections shared with you, so perhaps we may both have something
to consider and search deeply.
For clarity; I will approach this challenge step by step. Looking
at the individual lines and sharing the insights I have consider
most important. I will be using several versions to highlight
not just the slight variances that can change scripture. But also
the need to continue to search deeper. And not to just take the
message the Bible has for us lightly.
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(NIV)
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.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
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(GNV)
Our Father in heaven:
May your holy name be honoured;
may your kingdom come;
may your will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need.
Forgive us the wrongs we have done,
as we forgive the wrongs others have done to us.
Do not bring us to hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.
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(AKJV)
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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 thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen
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(JNDV)
Our Father who art in the heavens,
let thy name be sanctified,
let thy kingdom come,
let thy will be done as in heaven
so upon the earth;
give us to day our needed bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also forgive our debtors,
and lead us not into temptation,
but save us from evil.
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"Our Father
in heaven,"
How often we like to bring God down to our level. Complaining
that a God in Heaven is too far off. And not close and personal.
That we need a God that is easy to reach out and grab hold of.
Yet by bring God down to our level we also make him meet us on
our terms. Not the wisest thing when approaching the Creator of
all that is.
"Let thy name be sanctified,"
Oddly these days, names do not carry the same weight of importance
as they once did. Here we have two distinct things going on. The
first is that Gods name is 'Holy'. And the second is that we are
too 'Honour' or 'Sanctify' it. By our acts of worship to God.
By the very authority and power of his name alone.
" Thy Kingdom come."
We all seemingly seek that place of perfection. Where troubles
and worries are forgotten. And things work smoothly. Some seek
this in the here and now. While others would keep their eyes focused
on the future. In this line we find the inner yearnings for that
perfect place. That perfect realisation of Gods Kingdom.
"Let thy will be done as in heaven
so upon the earth;"
So for those who can't wait for heaven; do they truly wish for
such a blessing on this corrupt world of ours? Could Gods perfect
and Holy Kingdom ever be realised here on Earth? Or are we just
praying for just a little sanity to prevail. Amongst all the bloodshed
and mayhem that is a common part of life? Maybe we should "Seek
first the Kingdom of God". And if in doing this we will find
Gods Kingdom on Earth in the movement of his Holy Spirit.
"Give us today the food we need."
What an inspiring
yet misunderstood line. So often we hear people use this line
to refer to our daily physical needs. And it is true that God
is able to provide all our needs. And yet when someone prays earnestly
for bread and doesn't get it? What can we say to them? I feel
this line refers more to the Bread or Body of Christ. That Spiritual
Food that we should seek after as hungrily as we do food.
"Forgive us the wrongs we have done,
as we forgive the wrongs others have done to us."
It interests me how one word can change the whole meaning. We
now have a range of words that are used in this important line.
The range of these words are 'Sin', 'Wrongs', 'Debts', 'Trespasses'
and many more. So what are we to do with such a range? Each one
seems to be at a different level. I personally don't see 'Sins'
and 'Debts' as being equal. The word 'Sin' seems to be far stronger
and implies a deliberate wrong has been done. While generally
the other words seem weaker and less worrisome.
"Do not bring us to hard testing,"
I can't imagine anyone would hold the belief that God still likes
to test people in the same way he tested Job. Nor do I think he
would ever deliberately 'Lead' a Christian into temptation. But
how often do we hear people cry that the 'Devil' made them do
it? Or that if God didn't want them to be tempted, God himself
would have done something. So much for free will and personal
accountability. Let's just trust God knows our limits. And that
we will need to do our part as well.
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen"
A nice closing line. One that has not seemingly survived the sensors
and editors over the years. But one that establishes the Sovereignty
of God. And that in the end he alone rules the "Kingdom'.
And has the 'Power' and Glory'. And to him alone we should offer
worship and praise.
Prayer:
God, my Father and King,
I praise your holy name.
In you, I find my rock and my refuge,
From the moment of birth,
and to the depth of my grave,
I will glorify your truth and salvation.
I hold to the promise of heaven,
as I seek each day to witness
to those your awesome love calls to.
May my words be your words,
and my heart sing with your psalms.
Along with all of your creation.
Amen
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