The Word of God
Jesus 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." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. 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 11:1-4
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- “Lord teach us to pray”. This simple request of the disciples led Jesus to give us the “Our Father” prayer. Yet we cannot be content with just reciting the words. The words “your kingdom come” imply an attention to goodness emerging at home or at work. The words “daily bread” underline our need for spiritual sustenance to stay rooted in God. The words “forgive us our sins” remind us to own up to our faults each day and then to forgive those who wrong us.
- So, we may need to voice our own request to God , “Lord teach us to pray”. We can repeat the words but only the Holy Spirit can bring us deeper. We ask the Lord to help us be at home in silence before God. God teaches us silently. Saint Faustina discovered this when she contemplated Christ’s Divine Mercy for all those who are suffering.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Prayer was an integral part of Jesus’ life and mission. He is the teacher of prayer and gives us a model of prayer. His relationship with the Father was at the core of his life and ministry. We pray this prayer of petition asking for God’s kingdom to come and to give us what we need to facilitate that in our lives and in our relationships.
- We live in a world of many kingdoms where there is much inequality in sharing resources, as we pray for the coming of the Lord’s kingdom of justice, love and peace. May we have generous hearts, a forgiving spirit and the light of God’s goodness to share with others. We pray that we may love and live in the spirit which Jesus shows us and desires for us.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- His disciples often saw Jesus in prayer. They could have had no doubt that he was in deep communion with his father. He was praying in the certainty that the father heard him. No wonder they asked him to teach them how to pray. And how surprised that he used such simple language!
- An Australian Lutheran pastor put it like this: “Prayer is not humans taking the initiative and trying to reach up to God attempting to speak in his ear. The picture that comes to mind here is one of a small child who wants to tell his dad something really important. The dad bends down, lovingly puts his arm around the child and lets the child whisper in his ear. In this sense then prayer is not so much us reaching up to God with special words or techniques, but it is God reaching down to us.”
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Today I make mine this simple request, which certainly corresponds to one of my deepest desires: Lord, teach me how to pray. I stay with it, feeling how strongly I desire it, and I become aware I am asking it to Jesus himself, as his disciple.
- I spend time praying the Our Father slowly, word for word, savouring the depth of meaning of every phrase, making it my own. It is the Lord’s answer to my petition to teach me how to pray.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- What a beautiful request from one of the disciples to Jesus: 'Lord, teach us to pray'. Who taught you to pray? Have you ever taught anyone to pray - children, perhaps?
- 'Give us each day our daily bread'. This is the most basic prayer of the vulnerable people living precarious existence: the subsistence farmers and the day-labourers that Jesus lived with and taught.
- 'Forgive us our sins'. Jesus makes a clear connection, here and elsewhere, between God's forgiveness, and our own readiness and capacity to forgive. One is not possible without the other!
- 'Do not bring us to the time of trial'. Does Jesus already have a sense of how his life will end? Can he already see, ahead of him, the Garden of Gethsemane, where he will pray to be spared the cup of suffering, even as he also prays 'Not my will, but yours'.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- How many Our Fathers have I said in my lifetime? But when I see the text written down and read it slowly, it can have a greater impact. There are seven requests in this prayer and these requests are what Jesus himself tells us to pray for.
- Being able to address God as ‘Our Father’ makes such a difference.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The disciples were looking outward at John and his disciples, at Jesus in prayer. Jesus suggests to them that their prayer might begin by looking in, by starting with our most important relationships. To call God ‘Father’ is to recognise where my life comes from and establishes me in relation to others. If I focus on my needs, it is so that I might grow in trust as I recognise who is ready to answer them.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The disciples are impressed by the fact that Jesus prays. Then they want to get in on the mysterious relationship he has with his Father. So he teaches them how to have a conversation with God. God may seem silent to us, but speaks to us in Scripture, especially in the words and actions of Jesus. Sacred Space helps us here.
- Heavenly Father, each day I depend upon you. I confidently ask for daily bread for my family and myself. And you generously keep on giving. Also I thank you for your loving forgiveness when I disappoint you. Give me a forgiving heart when others disappoint me.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- It is clear that prayer was essential for Jesus – for his identity and his mission. Prayer expressed Jesus’ relationship with his Father. He taught his followers how to pray, and he made time for it himself, no matter what needs and demands pressed on him. Do I do likewise?
- The Lord’s Prayer is the model for all prayer. It contains the essential petitions for truly Christian prayer and living. Do I allow this prayer to mould me as a person and to directly influence my relationship with God and with my neighbour?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- I am in the presence of God right now. I have begun my prayer by my willingness to offer God this time.
- The Lord’s prayer is my prayer. Sometimes what I ask is granted At other times I must pray for God’s grace, especially to have a forgiving heart.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Many Jewish rabbis would teach their disciples a simple prayer. This prayer of Jesus has depths we never totally fathom. We can linger on every word.
- If we call God Father, we say that he knows our needs, and wants to give what will help us most. Lord, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray. Give me your love and grace just for today.