THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

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.

 

Matthew 6:9-13

 

CONTEMPLATIONS

 

Our Father

Prayer depends upon our relationship with God as a Father to His children, He is intimately concerned with our wellbeing.

 

Which art in Heaven

Prayer rests on the reality that God is in Heaven and is all powerful over His creation.

 

Hallowed be Thy Name

Prayer always seeks the glory of God.

 

Thy kingdom come

Prayer recognizes the right of God to rule; not only over His creation, but over His people as well.

 

Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven

Prayer is submitted to God’s will, it does not attempt to manipulate God but allows God’s will to be worked through us.

 

Give us this day our daily bread

Prayer gives expression to our total dependence on God and our knowledge that our daily needs are provided through Him alone.

 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

Prayer shows our willingness to forgive those who have harmed us, and the relationship between our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us.

 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

Prayer shows our need for God’s guidance in our lives if we are to avoid sin and live as He wishes us to live.

 

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory

Prayer is completely dependent on the grace of God, that our requests are only answered through His power, because of His grace, and for His glory.

 

I am not certain that I am the author of this but it is too good not to share so I include it here.