“He 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.” So, he said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Luke 11:1-13
Here we have another Gospel reference to John the baptizer having disciples. A fact that sort of fleshes out the person who John was, a charismatic teacher with a loyal following. No wonder the Jews at the time thought he was the one who has come to restore the kingdom of Israel to its former greatness.
Jesus, in his prayer, reminds us to be reverent when speaking of God. Jesus refers to God’s name. Naming a person infers a familiarity with and a closeness. In this case, as close as a child to a father and mother.
I believe Jesus, in every moment of his life, is aware of God’s constant and intimate presence. At times of crisis; when he needs answers he goes to his Father. He senses his need to speak to his Father who is always ready for His son. Jesus goes to a quiet place to pray. And there in quiet places he speaks with His Father.
God has an open invitation for Jesus and to us.
Prayer does not begin with us. Rest in the faith that God already initiates something within us. Our prayer is ultimately a response to God; God’s invitation to encounter with the One who loves us.
We pray acknowledging our own weakness. It is worldly weakness, not worldly strength, that enables us to encounter God. By rejecting worldly power and ambition, we open ourselves to be guided by God’s Spirit. We are led to encounter God face-to-face in the person of Christ Jesus who said, “Whenever you pray”.
Father, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Luke 11:1-13
Here we have another Gospel reference to John the baptizer having disciples. A fact that sort of fleshes out the person who John was, a charismatic teacher with a loyal following. No wonder the Jews at the time thought he was the one who has come to restore the kingdom of Israel to its former greatness.
Jesus, in his prayer, reminds us to be reverent when speaking of God. Jesus refers to God’s name. Naming a person infers a familiarity with and a closeness. In this case, as close as a child to a father and mother.
I believe Jesus, in every moment of his life, is aware of God’s constant and intimate presence. At times of crisis; when he needs answers he goes to his Father. He senses his need to speak to his Father who is always ready for His son. Jesus goes to a quiet place to pray. And there in quiet places he speaks with His Father.
God has an open invitation for Jesus and to us.
Prayer does not begin with us. Rest in the faith that God already initiates something within us. Our prayer is ultimately a response to God; God’s invitation to encounter with the One who loves us.
We pray acknowledging our own weakness. It is worldly weakness, not worldly strength, that enables us to encounter God. By rejecting worldly power and ambition, we open ourselves to be guided by God’s Spirit. We are led to encounter God face-to-face in the person of Christ Jesus who said, “Whenever you pray”.
RSS Feed