Our Scripture meditation is based on Luke 11:1, the start of next week’s Gospel Lesson.
[1] Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
The Lord’s Prayer is a profound gift from Jesus.
When Jesus’ disciple asked that our Lord teach his disciples to pray, Jesus gave them what we call the Lord’s Prayer. Because it came from our Savior and Lord, we pray with confidence. It is a divine gift to have no doubts or hesitancy when we approach God in prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer is also a powerful source of unity among Christians. Praying together the Lord’s Prayer after a contentious Voters’ Assembly draws God’s people back together. When we visit a sister church while traveling, the Lord’s Prayer connects us with our home congregation. In ministering to a family after a tragedy I’ll offer extemporaneous prayer. However, I’ll end the visit praying the Lord’s Prayer together.
The Lord’s Prayer is deeply meaningful when offered in personal devotions. We can focus on each petition, expanding our prayer along the petition’s theme. When I pray, “Thy kingdom come,” I pray that God’s kingdom will come for friends and family who are not Christians. I also pray for congregations that are just getting started, since they will bring new Kingdom work to their communities. Over the years I’ve offered such petitions for Wilmington Lutheran Mission Church, CrossRoads Lutheran Church, and Our Savior of the Valley Lutheran Church, among others.
The Lord’s Prayer truly is a profound gift from Jesus.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 