“Jesus was talking, at the time, to a mixed group of religious people. Among them were the Jews, who believed a person interacted with God by obeying a system of laws. Others were gentiles; these guys were interacting with God as though He were a kind of good luck charm. Jesus said their prayers went on as a endless rambling. It struck me that what Jesus was doing when He gave this speech was not so much teaching people to pray as He was reminding them of what they has forgotten in Scriptures, that we can relate to God in a personal way….
I’m wondering if I wasn’t limiting Jesus’ teaching by thinking it was just about behavior and not about perspective. Jesus was saying they should stop jumping through legalistic hoops, or rambling on trying to manipulate God. Instead they should relate to God as He always related to them…as a Father.” Pg. 73-74
God is not just up in the sky somewhere just letting the world go through its motions; he is a caring Father watching over His children, longing to have an intimate relationship with them. Even in the simplest of words, the Lord’s Prayer reminds us that God is taking care of us, providing for us, disciplining us, forgiving us, and protecting us - as any good Father does for the children He loves.
Our Father who is in Heaven, Holy 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 do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever
Amen
Matthew 6:9-13
God Bless,
Joshua Birney
Westview House Parent
