“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
And he said unto them….
“Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is In heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation.
but deliver us from evil.”
The LORD’S prayer has been a way for mankind to communicate with the father for millions of believers, for many thousands of years, recited innumerable times.
I, myself, have petitioned GOD’s attention in this way countless times,
under limitless circumstances and times throughout my life.
I am confident that my GOD listens,
But I am less confident that I hear and understand the words that I speak.
Our father, who art in heaven
My father, my creator…THE CREATOR
who reins in heaven, from his throne most high,
overseeing all of his creation through all time, in ALL ways.
The significance of this first line is almost incomprehensible.
Hallowed be thy name
His NAME ALONE is to be considered most holy,
much less the magnitude of his entirety.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Our father’s domain, his kingdom,
in reality, is EVERYTHING…..
all heaven, all earth, all creation.
And he has total jurisdiction over all that happens,
though he allows mankind to make
decisions and choices independently.
Our choices frequently aren’t his choices,
and can create untold chaos in our lives,
but always are part of GOD’s will,
GOD’s plan, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
Trust in him to provide for our needs,
without complaining, without turning away,
Knowing that HE will always provide.
Not others, not ourselves, only him.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
We are fallen beings, all are trespassers,
sinners from the beginning of time.
Sinners against GOD, against each other.
When we break the GOD’s laws,
We must forgive, if we want to be forgiven.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
It is impossible to remain unaware of the evil that permeates our world. We pray for protection from and deliverance from this spiritual force. Unbeknownst to many, there is another translation of this verse:
Deliver us from THE EVIL ONE
That changes everything!
Evil is not just an influential force in this world,
but is also a specifically identified entity.
This prayer, then, is the ultimate entreaty to GOD
for protection, faithfulness, and blessings.
“We not only battle our sinful nature, but also
the devil’s schemes, the powers of this dark world,
and the spiritual forces of evil.” Ephesians 6:11-18
The words of this prayer that I have spoken many times seem simple,
but just like GOD, the words are deeper, larger, more complex than I can comprehend.
If GOD is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31