This Week.

Jesus said, “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed 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 bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:9-15

We say the Lord’s Prayer so often, that it is easy to forget that it is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This is a prayer that most of us can recite by memory. It is a prayer that we often go to in times of stress or need. While this prayer is thoroughly associated with the Christian faith, it is rooted in the faith and prayers of Israel. Which makes sense since Jesus was Jewish, as were the first disciples.

While the whole prayer is powerful, it is perhaps the opening line that is the most transformative. “Our Father.” When we pray in this way we are claiming our kinship to God, and because we are children of God we are part of a new family with countless siblings.

Maybe this is why this is the go-to prayer in times of distress. It reminds us that we are never alone. We are always God’s children, and we are always brothers and sisters in God.

What does the Lord’s Prayer mean to you? In all the craziness of 2020, how connected do you feel to God right now? How connected do you feel to others?

Check out the schedule below for times that we can connect through prayer and fellowship. I hope to see you soon on campus or at Trinity Commons.

-Kelley

SCHEDULE