Prelude:
See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
Reflection/Questions:
Over the next six weeks, for the period of Lent, the Bible Society is partnering with Common Grace to bring you www.lordsprayer.org.au. Alongside our daily readings (which will explore a different phrase of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples each week), we’ll bring you weekly video reflections on Jesus’ prayer by some leading Australian Christian thinkers from a variety of denominations. We’re also inviting you to commit to praying the Lord’s Prayer daily all the way till Easter.
Today in our prelude to the Lord’s Prayer, we hear from 1 Thessalonians. What does the passage exhort us to do? How might you put this into practice over the next six weeks?
Day 1:
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6: 9-13
Reflection/Questions:
Today is the first day of Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter. Lent is a time to reflect and focus on the temptation and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, and upon our own frailties and failures. It is a time for repentance and the healing of our desires as we approach Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. This period can be a valuable time of prayer and spiritual renewal.
Over the next six weeks, for the period of Lent, the Bible Society is partnering with Common Grace to bring you www.lordsprayer.org.au. We hope that by focusing on the Lord’s Prayer you will hear Jesus summarise his message and his movement, so that we might be taught how to pray. Watch an opening reflection on the Lord's Prayer by Jarrod McKenna as we kick off this series.
We’re inviting you to commit to praying the Lord’s Prayer daily all the way till Easter. Why not start by praying our passage for today?
Day 2:
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Luke 11:1-4
Reflection/Questions:
Imagine yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples. Are you surprised by the prayer he gave? Does this match what you, as a disciple, are seeing as you live beside Jesus?
Do you have a desire for Jesus to teach you to pray? How do you feel about this prayer as the answer? Pray the Lord’s prayer now and bring your reflections to God.
Themed by phrase: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Day 3:
‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way:Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 6:7-9
Reflection/Questions:
The striking addressee of the prayer is ‘Our Father’. What do we learn from Jesus about who the God is that we pray to? Pray the Lord’s prayer thinking about the Father who we are addressing. Watch a reflection by Rev Dr Jacqueline Grey, Associate Professor in Biblical Studies at Alphacrucis College reflecting on the opening phrase of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.'
Day 4:
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:25-28
Reflection/Questions:
Today we overhear another prayer of Jesus’. How does he address God here? Is God far away/hidden or close by/known? Why would Jesus follow this prayer with a call to ‘Come to him’? What does this mean for my neighbour?
Day 5:
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:14-17
Reflection/Questions:
What wonderful things does calling God ‘Father’ signify in the life of a Christian? Which of these blessings resonate with you? Bring these with you into your time of praying the Lord’s prayer.
Day 6:
But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’“ God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
Exodus 3:13-15
Reflection/Questions:
What name does God reveal to Moses? ‘To hallow’ is to greatly revere and honour, to hold something as holy. How might this passage inform our hallowing of God’s name?
Day 7:
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Psalm 8: 1-4
Reflection/Questions:
How does Psalm 8 provide an example of hallowing God’s name? How do we put together the hallowing of God’s name with the idea of God’s Fatherhood that we were reflecting on previously? How do the two ideas of ‘Our Father’ and ‘Hallowed be your name’ come together for you? Pray the Lord’s prayer slowly dwelling on that opening phrase and hallow God’s name.
Themed by phrase: Your kingdom come
Day 8:
Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2 Sam 7:11-13
Reflection/Questions:
When we pray ‘Your Kingdom come’ what do we mean? How is God establishing a kingdom? Does this passage help us draw a connection between God’s kingdom and the hallowing of God’s name?
Day 9:
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Reflection/Questions:
How does this passage describe the qualities of God’s Kingdom? Do you long for this kind of Kingdom? How will this promised vision of a Kingdom enrich your praying of the Lord’s prayer?
Day 10:
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Mark 1:14-15
Reflection/Questions:
How is Jesus connected to God’s Kingdom? How ought we to prepare for the Kingdom?
Day 11:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46
Reflection/Questions:
What does Jesus say the kingdom is like? What does this mean for those around you? Pray the Lord’s prayer today thinking of those you live beside.
Day 12:
Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.”
John 19:10-12
Reflection/Questions:
What do we learn about power from this passage? What are some of the different attitudes to and pictures of kingship in the passage? What does this mean as we pray ‘Your Kingdom come’?
Day 13:
So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
Reflection/Questions:
How does Jesus say his kingship is different from the world around him? What does this mean for the church today?
Day 14:
They sing a new song:“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.”
Revelation 5:9-10
Reflection/Questions:
What does this song of the living creatures and elders in the throne room tell us of Jesus’ work to establish the Kingdom? What does this bring to our praying of ‘Your Kingdom come’?
Themed by phrase: Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Day 15:
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude.
Genesis 1:31-2:1
Reflection/Questions:
How does God describe creation? What does this passage hint at in terms of God’s intentions for the earth at the time of Creation? What might the relationship between earth and heaven have been like at that time? Sadly you know the rest of the story as Genesis 3 reveals and the chasm that opens between earth and heaven.
Day 16:
The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:7-9
Reflection/Questions:
What picture of earth does this passage present? How might it help us understand what God’s will being done on earth might look like?
Day 17:
Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Matthew 26:42
Reflection/Questions:
Our scripture comes from Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane praying to his Father. What does he pray? How does Jesus’ will and his Father’s will go together? Pray the Lord’s prayer today slowing down over the phrase ‘your will be done’, think ahead to Easter approaching and what Jesus understood his Father was asking of him.
Day 18:
He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Luke 24:38-43
Reflection/Questions:
Our text shows Jesus appearing to his disciples after he has been resurrected. Does the resurrected Jesus belong to heaven or earth? How does this shape our hope that God’s will might be done on earth?
Day 19:
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:19-23
Reflection/Questions:
What is the experience of all creation as we wait for God’s will to be done on earth? What is our experience? What is the creation’s hope?
This passage gives God’s creation a voice in the great drama of grace. We see the groaning of creation very clearly today in ecological crises like habitat destruction, biodiversity loss or the consequences of human-induced climate change.
Day 20:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:7-10
Reflection/Questions:
What is the mystery of God’s will? What has it got to do with heaven and earth? When does it happen?
Day 21:
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:2-5
Reflection/Questions:
What’s the relationship between heaven and earth in this passage? How does this passage help us understand what God’s will being done on earth might look like? Let this hope inform you’re praying of the Lord’s Prayer today.
Themed by phrase: Give us today our daily bread.
Day 22:
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden the human heart,
oil to make the face shine,
and bread to strengthen the human heart.
Psalm 104:14-15
Reflection/Questions:
What do we learn of God from this passage? How does this text enrich our understanding of the line ‘Give us today our daily bread’ from the Lord’s Prayer? Pray the prayer reflecting on God’s good provision.
Day 23:
The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.
Exodus 16:3-4
Reflection/Questions:
Recall the story of the Israelites complaining in the wilderness. How did God provide for them? Was God’s provision sufficient? Was the Israelite’s attitude reasonable? How might we be like the Israelites?
Day 24:
Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Reflection/Questions:
How do the scriptures describe what God was teaching the Israelites through their experience in the desert? How might this inform our prayer requesting ‘our daily bread’?
Day 25:
Two things I ask of you;
do not deny them to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that I need,
or I shall be full, and deny you,
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
or I shall be poor, and steal,
and profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9
Reflection/Questions:
What does the wise person ask of God? Why? What significance does this have for our prayer life?
Day 26:
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of anger will fail.
Those who are generous are blessed,
for they share their bread with the poor.
Proverbs 22:7-9
Reflection/Questions:
What are the principles the wise person encourages us to live by? How might this inform our prayer for ‘our daily bread’?
Day 27:
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:31-33
Reflection/Questions:
What does Jesus call his followers to do and not to do? How might we ‘not worry’? How is not worrying and the Kingdom connected? How could praying the Lord’s Prayer be part of not worrying?
Day 28:
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Reflection/Questions:
What does Paul instruct Timothy to do? Did you know you are rich? (Australians have had the highest median wealth in the world for five consecutive years according to last year's Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse) How can you hear these instructions to the rich? How might you pray the Lord’s Prayer for others?
Themed by phrase: Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors
Day 29:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2
Reflection/Questions:
This week we reflect on the phrase ‘Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors.’ What does forgiveness provide? Bring this into your request for forgiveness as you pray the Lord’s Prayer today.
Day 30:
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:17-18
Reflection/Questions:
Who is the Lord having an argument with? What is God’s case? Does this make sense? Give thanks for God’s forgiveness as you ask for it today.
How might we be able to witness to the radical forgiveness of God in our wider society? Can you think of times when the nation has asked for forgiveness? Where might we need to?
Day 31:
But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:21-23
Reflection/Questions:
What is God’s desire for humans? How does God want people to live? How should this inform your interactions with your neighbours?
Day 32:
At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’
Mark 2:8-11
Reflection/Questions:
What is Jesus’ relationship to sins? How is this demonstrated in the story? Imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples witnessing this event and then imagine receiving from him the Lord’s prayer to pray. How does witnessing this healing shape how you understand the Lord’s Prayer?
Day 33:
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’
Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:37-38
Reflection/Questions:
How does the crowd respond to Peter’s first sermon? What are they instructed to do? How does life in Christ begin?
Day 34:
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:11-15
Reflection/Questions:
Is this a radical prayer? How do people normally treat ‘debts’? As Jesus gives us his prayer, he also issues a warning; what is his promise? Where in your life do you need to hear these words?
This year’s Australian of the year, Rosie Batty, whose husband killed her son describes the task: “Forgiving is not forgetting and it’s not condoning. It's about saying what happened cannot consume me.”
Day 35:
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14
Reflection/Questions:
How ought the church to behave toward each other? Is your church community characterised by these things? Chose one of these things to embody in your community’s life together?
Themed by phrase: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Day 36:
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’
Luke 4:1-4
Reflection/Questions:
How does Jesus face his time of trial? How is he delivered from evil? What can we learn from him? Pray the Lord’s prayer reflecting on these things.
Watch a reflection by Dr Ben Myers, Lecturer in Systematic Theology at United Theological College and stimulating blogger at Faith and Theology reflecting on the phrase 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil'.
Day 37:
Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’
Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’
Matthew 26:38-42
Reflection/Questions:
Our scripture today comes from Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane facing his greatest trial. How does he feel? How does he instruct his disciples? How does he model it? What do we learn from Jesus’ example about responding to trials and temptation?
Day 38:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
Reflection/Questions:
What does this passage say that Jesus brings to the role of High Priest? How does this shape our coming to him? Bring these reflections into praying the Lord’s Prayer today.
Day 39:
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
Hebrews 2:14-15
Reflection/Questions:
What is the relationship between Jesus and the power of death? What has he achieved? What confidence does that bring to your praying of the Lord’s Prayer?
Day 40:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Reflection/Questions:
When you pray ‘deliver us from evil’, what do you think of? How does this passage describe the enemies of God’s people? Who is and isn’t included? What do we bring to being ‘delivered’?
Day 41:
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
Reflection/Questions:
How does Paul encourage the believers? How does he speak of the Lord? It is to this Lord we pray ‘do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from evil’, how does knowing what God is like energise your prayer?
Day 42:
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:7-10
Reflection/Questions:
How does this passage describe the experience of facing trials or evil? What are some of the instructions for resisting him? Who might be your suffering family members around the world today or even in our own country? Pray the Lord’s prayer with them in mind.
Themed by phrase: For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forever, Amen.
Day 43:
Then David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly; David said:
‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, for ever and ever. Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
Reflection/Questions:
How does David describe God? Why does he say ‘yours is the Kingdom’? What demonstrates that ‘yours is the power’? How does recalling God’s kingdom, power and glory give us confidence to pray to him?
Day 44:
For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22
Reflection/Questions:
The Lord’s Prayer ends with the word ‘Amen’. How does this scripture explain how we say ‘Amen’, that we affirm and agree? How does this scripture help us understand our standing before God and our ability to pray?
Day 45:
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?’
‘Or who has given a gift to him,
to receive a gift in return?’
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
Reflection/Questions:
Today we read of the strange and wonderful ways of God. How does this passage describe God? Carry your reflection on God’s mysterious wisdom into your praying of the Lord’s Prayer today.
Day 46:
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Reflection/Questions:
How is this conclusion to prayer similar to the end of the Lord’s prayer? What are both affirming? How might this encourage us? How ought these convictions to shape our prayer life?
Day 47:
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honour and glory and blessing!’
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,
‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honour and glory and might
for ever and ever!’
And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped.
Revelation 5:11-14
Reflection/Questions:
Worthy is the Lamb! How does our passage praise the Lord Jesus? Is there a similarity in the way the Lord’s prayer describes the Father and this glimpse into the throne-room describes the slain lamb? Pray the Lord’s prayer in the full joy of Christ's Lordship.
Day 48:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
Colossians 1:15-18
Reflection/Questions:
Thank you for praying the Lord’s prayer all the way to Easter! You made it! We hope it enriched your walk with Jesus and life in prayer.
How does our passage describe the one who gave us the Lord’s prayer? How does knowing the power and supremacy of this one shape our praying?