Our Father

     I attended a funeral several years ago. There were hundreds of people and many teenagers and young adults. The pastor leading the service began the Lord’s prayer. After the service, he asked me if I had noticed that most of the people in attendance were not familiar with the prayer.

     It seems impossible to imagine. When I was growing up almost everyone in our neighborhood attended church. We prayed the Lord’s prayer every single Sunday together. I have visited in many nursing homes over the last twenty years and one of the common threads, even with the dementia and Alzheimer’s patients is their ability to remember songs and recite the Lord’s prayer. What a comfort! Let’s look at this prayer this week.

Our Father who art 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory. Forever and ever. Amen  (see Matthew 6 and Luke 11)

     This familiar and corporate prayer was taught by Jesus to His disciples. Pray it this morning. He hears us and meets our every need.

Amen