by Sandra Allen Lovelace @SandraALovelace #WallflowerWomen
If you have a red letter Bible, the passage would stand out on the page since it’s spoken by Jesus. Many of us have learned the words by heart, and teach them to our children. But the other day, three pronouns swelled my heart to bursting and lowered my head in gratitude.
This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:9-13).* [emphasis mine]
The question hit me, why is Jesus telling us to say our, us, and we?
At the time, Jesus was up on a hillside speaking to a large gathering of people. But we’re all individuals. Why didn’t He tell them to say my, me, and I? That would make sense, right?
Instead He directed His followers to use first-person plural pronouns.
Our Father in heaven
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5).
My prayer is not for them alone. I [Jesus] pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one (John 17:20-21).
We go to the Father in the divine unity of all believers across space and time.
Pause and consider the crowd that surrounds you when you enter the prayer room of heaven.
The well-known and little-known saints. Even the ones we don’t know. Such power!
Give us today our daily bread.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
For where two or three come together in my [Jesus] name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).
Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:125).
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
We may be asking for our own need, but Christ adds His presence to our requests.
Mutual fulfillment of our petitions is granted by the Father through the Son, such power.
Consider the blessings you enjoy as part the bonding agent amongst all believers.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:13-14).
Once we confess our sins to the Father through Christ, we revel in the gift of salvation.
Ponder the joy of granting similar relief to those who offend you.
The resulting love is the power that unites hearts and lives.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
You’re not a my, me, I traveling alone. Peter’s words are for God’s chosen ones, all of us.
Reflect on the compassionate Authority that provides and protects His own on their journeys.
Breathe in the sustaining power of the community of believers, united in His name.
Is your heart encouraged?
Please share a few words and bless us all.
Rejoicing to be with you in the same embrace,
Sandra
*NIV1984, unless otherwise noted