02.15.12 “This is how you should pray”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-15

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions

Today’s reading comes from a larger section of Matthew’s Gospel often referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In its entirety, it represents one of the most comprehensive teachings of Jesus found in all the gospels in which Jesus addresses a variety of topics including “how we should pray.”

• These words form the core of what we now refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” which we share together in all our weekend services. What parts of this prayer challenge you as you think about “how” you should pray? Which part do you find the most difficult to put into practice?
• In verse 10, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom we are meant to build is not our own but the kingdom God is seeking to establish in this world. How did Jesus live that out in his life? How might you live that out today?

Weekly Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.