Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
We learn to pray by praying. When the disciples saw how Jesus prayed they asked him to teach them. Instead of a giving a complicate theology, he taught them a simple prayer that starts ‘Our Father in heaven’. It is brief (about 50 words) and covers praise and petition, both for the very practical (our daily bread) and for the theological (the coming kingdom and the holy name of God). This pattern is used by millions of Christians from every background and tradition.
The important thing is that this prayer is to be used. We learn as we pray together. It is not for theological debate but for talking with our Father in heaven. I like to imagine when praying this, how a child talks while nestled in a parent’s lap with such intimacy and trust. The phrases can pattern our prayer for broader development or they can be prayed as is. We learn to pray by praying.
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