The followers of Jesus asked him to teach them how to pray. So he said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.” (From Luke 11)
When the word “name” is used, it means everything about God is holy. We can learn what God is about by reading the Jesus stories in the New Testament. The leadership style that Jesus reveals is holy. That means the way that Jesus led is different from, and superior to all earthly leaders. When we pray the prayer, do we mean that? Or are we just saying the words?
After acknowledging God’s holiness, the prayer continues with God’s agenda. When I pray, I have to be careful that I don’t think of God as my personal butler. While that requests that I have will certainly be heard by God, I want to be mindful of God’s agenda: “May your kingdom come.”
Scripture reminds us that God called the church to work towards his mission to bring his kingdom to earth. Jesus gave us a glimpse of his kingdom with his teachings and actions. Are we helping to make the kingdom of God visible? Or, are we just saying the words?
Next comes our agenda: “Give is each day our daily bread.” We are asking God to provide for our needs. That offers an opportunity to think deeply about what our needs actually are. In 1955. My family was considered poor. But we had what we needed. I suggest that beside the obvious needs, a close relationship with God is essential.
“Forgive is our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.” Notice that being forgiven and forgiving are connected. I ask for forgiveness AS I forgive. That changes my mindset from making it about me. It helps me to increase my ability to give grace. I receive grace from God. I extend grace to others. I live in grace.
“And do not bring us to the time of trial.” We humbly ask God not to test our faith. It’s very tempting to give my loyalty to earthly leadership and turn my back on God. It’s easy to ignore my neighbor in need. It’s tempting to seek security in the stuff I accumulate. Please, Lord, do not bring me to the test.
If we pray and live the prayer that Jesus taught, the world would be different. We revere God as holy. We participate in the work of bringing God’s kingdom of love, peace, grace, and service to earth. We recognize that God provides. We are forgiven and forgive. And we recognize our need to grow in faith.
The Lord’s Prayer asks for everything a person needs in the right order. May call it the perfect prayer.