A Sinner’s Reflection on The Lord’s Prayer
The most famous prayer in this world has been used many times a day by a multitude of people ever since the day, around 2000 years ago, when Jesus Christ taught his disciples how to pray.
The prayer, according to the NIV version of the gospel of Matthew goes like this -
Matthew 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
6:11 Give us today our daily bread.
6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’
It is obvious upon reading this that the prayer has 8 main points — 4 points that praise God and 4 petitions.
Points of Praise:-
- Our Father in heaven
- Hallowed be Your Name
- Your kingdom come
- Your will be done
Points of Petition:-
- Give us today our daily bread
- forgive us our debts
- lead us not into temptation
- deliver us from the evil one
Praise to God, as we can see, makes up half the prayer but if you look closer at the petition aspect; you would realise something really strange….
Jesus does not petition for good health, riches, fame, peace, palaces, servants etc. (!?)
THE SON OF GOD DOES NOT SEEK ANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE MORTALS NORMALLY PRAY FOR!!!???
He prayed for -
- Food : For our survival
- Forgiveness : For peace with God
- Temptation : That He may keep us away from it
- Evil : That we may be away from the evil one
I really find it strange that we, as Christians, have lost out the basic gist of the prayer that the Son of God gave us.
We pray for the already stated so-called material things but Jesus taught us what was MOST important for our survival on earth and for peace after our time on earth is over!!!!
He knew that as humans we will HAVE to face challenges like ill-health, poverty, loss, death, gain amd loss in money/fame etc. etc.
These are challenges that are part of our human existence and cannot be taken away!
What is important is the food we eat and our (mostly feeble) attempts to be right with God!
THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US!
The rest matters to us but not to Jesus! (else he would definitely have included the same in the prayer that he gave us knowing that all who believe in His Holy Name would say it till time immemorial (His second coming!)
That is why He later states that “seek first the kingdom of God and the rest shall be given to you as well!”
Powerful words from the Son of God!!!
Adding on to this, another key point strikes me as I reflect on this prayer and that is the repeated use of the word 'us’.
It is apparent that the Lord Jesus wanted the prayer to be used in a congregation else why would he say — “Give US today our daily bread, Forgive US our sins, as WE forgive those who sin against US, do not bring US to the test, but deliver US from evil"?!
It would have been equally easy for HIM to say me and I and I’m certain that He spoke in context to His disciples so that they may use the prayer as and when they prayed together; however, irrespective of the context at the time…..you get where I’m coming from right?
I also strongly suspect that the time Jesus spent in the wilderness also influenced this prayer as he did not eat for 40 days and the devil tempted Him to turn the stones into food — asked Him to jump off the highest point of the temple so that the angels would save Him and finally tempted Him with all the kingdoms of the world if He were to submit to the devil!
Our Lord knew first-hand (being born human) about the ways the devil influences us to move away from God and that’s what He asked us to pray about.
He knew that a hungry stomach will lead to temptations and evil deeds and that’s why He left us this great prayer!
Having shared my thoughts with you on my understanding of the Lord’s Prayer, I humbly seek your forgiveness if there were any parts that you felt were inappropriate, offensive or wrong as I am nothing but a mere sinful human being and a layman when it comes to Christianity or The Bible.
Hope this article gives you food for thought and prayer!
