Thoughts on The LORD’S Prayer

Warner Sallman

“Our Father 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 debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.

 Our Father

God created us all. He desires a special relationship with us. Jesus calls Him Father because that was He was Jesus’ Father. By addressing God as “Our Father”, the Lord includes each of us as God’s children.

 hallowed by your name.

God’s name is to be treated as special. No one else can be called Abba, except the one who created us. We all have one Father. He loans us to earthly parents for them to raise us.

Your kingdom come,

Our Lord Jesus requests that God allow His rule to guide and direct us.

 your will be done

Jesus asks that His Father’s desire for us, His children be accomplished. When God’s will is done, it is done to please Him.

 on earth as it is in heaven.

What would our world be like if everything on earth was done according to God’s will?

●No crime

● No wars

● No debt

                                                    ● No divorce

                       ● No illness

  

Give us this day our daily bread,

Jesus asks God to give us what we NEED each day. Basically, our needs are simple, food, clothing, shelter, and rest.

 and forgive us our trespasses

The church I belong to uses the word, ‘trespasses’, while most use the word ‘debts’. The word trespass means to transgress or enter an area without permission. When we happen to sin, we do just that. We enter an area, by action, speech, attitude, or behavior, where God does not want us.

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

   

Jesus finishes His teaching on prayer with these words, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you.”

And lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil.

Jesus asks His Father to keep us safe from the paths that will bring us into the difficulties of life and bring us out of those areas should we wander into them.

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen

God’s kingdom will last forever. He has all the power in this world and deserves all the praise and glory we can give Him.