Lord's Prayer
When Christ died, the veil was torn which gave us a direct access to God. Jesus became our High Priest. So, when Christ was still walking with the disciples & they asked Him how to pray, He said to pray with this as an example: Our Father Who art in heaven. So, before He was crucified, He was already showing them how to pray directly to the Father. Isn't that what He was saying? Isn't this prayer premature? Was they allowed to pray directly to the Father before the Sacrifice?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tammy_LIBAW on -
I believe the kind of prayer that most pleases God is very simple and easy to
understand. It is so simple that a little child can pray in a way that pleases
Him.
The disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). They would
not have asked unless they had wanted to learn. I believe that most who are
reading this message would love to be faithful in prayer, but they do not know
how. They simply do not understand the purpose of prayer and until they grasp
this vital purpose, they will never be able to maintain a fulfilled, meaningful
life of prayer.
Many Christians pray only out of a sense of obligation. They think of prayer as
something they are "supposed" to do. Others pray only when tragedy strikes or
when a crisis befalls them and then they do not pray again until the next
difficulty comes along.
Prayer is not just for our benefit, but for the delight of our God! We are not
just to intercede for things we need, but to ask for the things He desires.
Unless these two elements go together, we do not have a foundation upon which
to build a prayer life. Whereas we seek relief and help from the Lord, He
desires fellowship with us—intimacy and communion.
"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on” (Matthew 6:25).
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow. . . ."
(6:33-34).
"For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him" (6:8).
God is saying to us: "When you come into My presence, focus your attention on
fellowship with Me, on getting to know Me. Don't let your focus be on material
things. I know what your needs are so you don't even have to ask. I willl take
care of them all. Just seek Me. Let us enjoy sweet communion!"David Wilkerson
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Permalink Reply by Colby Chase on
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Prayer has been known and practiced by the people of God since the beginning of time when men began to call upon the name of the Lord [1].
Through prayer, we, the children of God, seek out, communicate with, and draw closer to, our Lord [2].In the Old Testament, for example, Samuel learned from his mother, Hannah, who prayed to the Lord, how "to appear before the Lord"(1Sam1:22)" and from the priest Eli, how to listen to the Lord (1Sam3:8-10).
The Book of Psalmsis particularly noteworthy as a collection of beautiful and uplifting praise songs and prayers.
What has changed since Old Testament times is that, beginning with the Lord's Prayer given by Jesus to the apostles and us, we address our prayers to God the Father through his son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ [3].
Christ is the great high priest (He4:14) and mediator between God and man, in whose name alone we have salvation [4].
Jesus said, underscoring the importance with which he held prayer, that his temple would be known as a "house of prayer."
To his beloved disciple Timothy, Paul the apostle wrote this about the importance of prayer:
2:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior (1Tim2:1-3).
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Permalink Reply by John G. Roberts on -
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Nice graphic, John!
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Permalink Reply by John G. Roberts on
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A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven: Our Father, God of all love and power, hear us, Your children in Christ Jesus.
Hallowed be Thy name: We bear Your holy name. Bless us so that we do not disgrace it by false teaching and ungodly living, but do it honor by clinging to Your pure word and leading a life that glorifies You.
Thy kingdom come: Give us a deep concern for souls. Send out Your saving truth. By Your Word and Spirit, work faith in the hearts of men. So let Your kingdom come to many, as it has come to us. And may it not be long until we see You in your unveiled splendor.
Thy will be done: It is Your will, because You seek our happiness, that we live close to You. Father, Your will be done! Let no one and nothing separate us from You – without You there is no living! Grant also that we may be continually doing Your will, obeying You gladly as do the angels in heaven. And when You send us sickness, pain, or sorrow, help us to submit ourselves to Your will, knowing that You are only trying to draw us still closer to Your loving Self.
Give us this day our daily bread: Give us each day the things we need for this life. When You give us much, may we be humble and generous. When You give us little, keep us from envy and worry. And for everything, be it much or little, make us thankful.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us: They are "our trespasses" – we are guilty over and over. And yet they are no longer ours, for You laid them all on Your holy Son. For His sake, Father, forgive us whatever is wrong in our lives. Then, as we are moved by Your redeeming love for us, make us loving and forgiving toward our fellowman.And lead us not into temptation: When the devil and the forces of evil that are in and around us tempt us to sin, give us the strength to stand firm, to say "no." And, Father, when You test us in the fires of affliction, keep reminding us that such trials are sent only "if need be"; that You want our faith to flow from the furnace like purified gold.
But deliver us from evil: Protect us in soul and body. Keep us from sin and error. Give grace to bear our crosses without murmuring. Speak peace to our hearts. At last, our Father, for the sake of Him who died for us and rose again, grant us a blessed end – an end which is the beginning of glory without end.For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever: You are our King. To You alone we come in prayer. You alone can do more than we ask or think. You alone shall have praise forever.
Amen: Our prayer is heard.
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