Thursday 23rd May
Read Matthew 6:9-13
“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.” (NIVUK)
In one sense the final line of the first half of the prayer is the logical and sensible conclusion to everything prayed before. By declaring God’s name, His character, be hallowed and recognised and asking that His kingdom come, we are also praying that His will be done on earth as it always has been in heaven.
In another sense though we are committing ourselves to that very goal. We are praying that each and every moment we will live in such a way that God’s name is hallowed. We are praying that His righteousness and goodness extend through all the world, one relationship at a time. We are affirming obedience to the King and Lord of all creation.
It is well to remember though that we pray to ‘Our Father’. This prayer is as much a corporate prayer as a personal statement of faith. That commitment is undertaken in fellowship with others all over the world praying for the same thing as their highest and first good.
