THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Our Father, who art in heaven

What does this mean?

Here God encourages us to believe that God is truly rules over all of heaven and all of earth and we truly are God's children. We therefore are to live in a loving relationship and pray to God with all of our life in complete confidence just as children speak to and live in a loving relationship with their family.

THE FIRST PETITION

hallowed be thy name,


What does this mean?

God's name certainly holy in and of itself, but we ask in this prayer that we may keep it holy in our lives.

When does this happen?

God's name is hallowed whenever God's Word is taught without deceit and we as the children of God live in harmony with God’s word and God’s kingdom. Help us to do this heavenly Lord! But we dishonor God when we live lives contrary to the Word of God. Help us avoid this heavenly Lord!


THE SECOND PETITION


thy kingdom come,


What does this mean?

God's kingdom comes and surrounds us even without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer that we may live in total awareness that the Kingdom is near.

When does this happen?

God's kingdom comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit and that same Spirit calls us to live life here on earth fully aware that the Kingdom is near and to live longing for the fulfillment of the Kingdome to come in its eternal fullness.

THE THIRD PETITION


thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.


What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is a reality even without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it we may live fully aware that God’s will is done among and also through us.

When does this happen?

God's will is done when evil in the world, and in our hearts, is overcome with the love and grace of God. God’s will is done when the Kingdom is announced in word and deed and people hear and live in presence of the Good news. And God’s will is done when God strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in God's Word as long as we live. And God’s will is done when we live as a child of God in loving harmony with all of God’s creation. This is God's gracious good will.

THE FOURTH PETITION


Give us this day our daily bread


What does this mean?

God provides for this world all that is needed every day even without prayer, but we ask in this prayer that God will help us to realize this and to receive that which we need with thanksgiving and work toward a just distribution of God’s gifts in this world.

What is meant by "what we need for today"?

This includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors and a healthy earth.

THE FIFTH PETITION


and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;.


What does this mean?

We ask in this prayer that God would not hold our sins, those we are aware of and those we are not, those we commit by doing and those we commit by not doing enough, against us. And we thank God for the gift of grace by which we receive our much needed forgiveness. We also commit to do our part and heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

THE SIXTH PETITION


and lead us not into temptation


What does this mean?

We ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and help keep us from sliding into the temptation to live self centered and sinful lives. We ask God to help us keep our focus on God and God’s calling in our lives to live as a child of God. And we pray that even though we are often tempted and often fall that God would continue to guide us and help us to live as we are called to live in this world and will be with God forever in the world to come.

THE SEVENTH PETITION


but deliver us from evil.


What does this mean?

We ask in this inclusive prayer that God would keep us from all that would bring harm to our selves or to others in this wonderful creation and in our last hour would take us in the glorious kingdom to be with God forever.

THE DOXOLOGY


For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen


What does "Amen" mean?

Amen means Yes, Yes, Yes!!! And we say Amen because we live in the certainty of God’s loving grace and know that God is with us, and hears us always.