11th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 17th June 2021 — Gospel: Mt 6,7-15
Perfect Prayer for Worldwide Family
The words in Jesus’ prayer are perfect, simple, and concise. Each precious phrase invites us to a conversion of heart, soul and mind. Jesus taught us in this prayer to surrender ourselves to our almighty Father. We then ask our loving Father for seven petitions: 1) Hallowed be thy name, 2) Thy kingdom come, 3) Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, 4) Give us our daily bread, 5) Forgive us our trespasses, 6) Lead us not into temptation, and 7) Deliver us from evil. The purpose of prayer is to glorify God’s name and to ask for help to accomplish His will on earth. This prayer begins with God’s interests, not ours: God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will. If we put God’s concerns first, then we can bring our own needs. We have no right to ask God for anything that will dishonour His name, delay his Kingdom, or disturb His will on earth. However, it is interesting to note that there are no singular pronouns in this prayer; they are all plural. It begins with “Our Father.” When we pray, we must remember that we are part of God’s worldwide family of believers. We have no right to ask for ourselves anything that would harm another member of the family. If we are praying in the will of God, the answer will be a blessing to all of God’s people in one way or another.
