LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 6:9, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

 I want to thank every veteran for serving your nation! May we never forget that freedom is never free!

Pastor Ed Newton spoke this weekend about Kingdom Prayer. He pointed out that the disciples could have asked Jesus to teach them so many things; they asked Him to teach them to pray. The disciples, being with Him had to notice His ability to do miracle after miracle when He had spent time, by Himself with His heavenly Father. It is in Luke’s account we find the disciples saying to Jesus, “Teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples”. So, Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”.

Pastor Newton is teaching a series called the Kingdom of God. Essential to God’s kingdom is to pray; The Lord’s Prayer has been memorized, recited in church services, and often prayed by teams before athletic contests. I certainly agree with Pastor Newton that the prayer can be recited, but not lived. It can be memorized but not personalized (from the Target Statement on the Listener Guide). If you are honest, you know what I mean.

Jesus has been teaching those listening to Him that when one prays, he/she is to find a place to pray, a place to be alone. It is not a time to impress others or a time to speak empty words to try to impress God. When Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer, it was not to be some sort of chant or only words spoken to God. Jesus gave a simple prayer to teach, as an example, how to talk to God in a meaningful way.

Pastor Newton taught us that using the term “our” as a confession regarding one’s relationship to God. It is to “claim to be on God’s team” (Newton). Jesus came to this earth in order for mankind to be in a relationship with the Father. For those of any other religious belief, beginning a prayer to their god by addressing him as father would be unacceptable.

Pastor Newton continued with the word “Father”, stating that it should bring comfort to Believers because addressing God in this way is to recognize that He has adopted us into His family as His children. Because Believers have been saved by the Son, they are able to come to Him as Father! Recognize the importance of that. The creator of the universe has become your father. That means He is with you, “will never forsake or leave you”! He is with you as you enjoy the good times, and He is with you as you experience the difficult times. When you go to Him as “Father” it is a reminder that you know He is with you. Never forget!

His name is “hallowed”! He is set apart, consecrated! To make Him “hallowed”, it is to set Him apart, to make Him holy! One’s name is their identity; we value having a good name, a good reputation. To take God’s name in vain, even to use OMG is to “hollow” God’s name; it is to disrespect Him (Pastor Newton). I might add, God’s last name is not damn! To “hallow” God’s name is to elevate Him, to place Him first as we pray to Him; it removes the focus from Believers and turns their attention to God. Prayer is about Him, His holiness, and His work in the lives of Believers as they allow Him to work in and through their lives.

Believers begin their prayers recognizing that a loving Father allows them to come into His presence through His Son and that He really does love and care for them. From this day on, let’s remember to use God’s name in the reverence and honor He deserves!