Today’s Gospel:  Luke 11:1-4

REFLECTION
It must have been a constant source of wonder to the watching disciples how the Lord, in spite of His busy schedule, made time to pray. They could not have remained unaware that often while they slept, He arose early and went to the hillside to commune with His Father. Probably they had also detected the strange thrilling power which always emanated from His Person when He returned to meet the demands made upon His time and energy. Prayer was not a new exercise, but the way Jesus prayed surely challenged their thinking. Rabbis often taught their followers a prayer which could be said on special occasions, and the scriptures suggest John the Baptist had emulated this example. We have not been told of the type of prayer used by the wilderness preacher; neither can we be sure of the motives which prompted this request of the disciples. They wanted to master the art of prayer, and their request to the Lord elicited an instant response.

The prayer that Jesus taught is known throughout the church as “The Lord’s Prayer,” but actually it would be wiser to call this the disciples’ prayer. This was the standard by which the followers of the Lord were to model their petitions.  It has been said that familiarity breeds contempt, and probably that is the reason why so many Christians fail to see spiritual beauty in this prayer. Oftentimes our prayers are selfish; we come to God because we desperately need something, and therefore, most of what we express to God is an appeal for something we very much desire. We must notice that in this prayer, nothing is requested for self until certain important details have been handled. First, the disciples are reminded of the Majesty of God. HOLY BE YOUR NAME. The Almighty is to be addressed as a Father, and to say the least, this was the introduction of a new relationship. The God whose power had shaken Mount Sinai; whose laws made the people tremble, could hardly have been addressed in this manner. The coming of the Lord Jesus had unveiled new characteristics in the Godhead. It was still true that God was holy, but the approach to His throne should be that of love for a parent and not fear for a Creator. It was the constant consideration of this important fact that produced within the suppliant the right frame of mind in which true prayer could be offered. Secondly, the prayer suggests the Purposes of God. It was true that the suppliant earnestly desired certain things, but the will of God always has priority in the hearts of true believers. Shortly, the praying soul will ask for certain commodities, but the fact that this request had precedence was a confession that if God desired something else, even the prayers to follow could be forgotten. This was another instance of the Lord teaching His followers to say, “Not my will but Yours be done.” Nevertheless, if the purposes of the Almighty could be fulfilled, and at the same time, these other requests could find favor with the Father, then it was the desire of the believer to ask for certain things. These requests were divided into three categories. (1) Food for the body; (2) Forgiveness for the soul; (3) Fortitude for the spirit. If the believer has to help in establishing the kingdom of God, he will need sustenance for his body, it would not be possible to work without strength. Food was an essential and not a luxury; therefore this request comes first. The appeal for forgiveness reveals two things. (1) Living men are prone to sin, and work in establishing the kingdom would never attain to the standards desired unless the workmen be pleasing to the Father. (2) But the forgiveness sought is the forgiveness shared - forgive us - as we forgive every one indebted to us. The man who expects forgiveness from God and who at the same time remains embittered toward his brother is a hypocrite. Finally, because in himself man is unable to withstand the onslaughts of the devil, he should seek strength; strength to be able to stand in the day of testing. “... Deliver us from evil.” The believer could not be expected to be above his Lord. As the Master had been tempted, so would the followers. To survive the testings and attacks of hell would be of supreme importance; therefore the disciples of Jesus were urged to pray for God’s help.

Today’s Reading:  Gal 2:1-2, 7-14

PRAYER
Lord, remind me of the way we ought to pray to you every time we send you a message.  For yours is the perfect prayer.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.