The Lord's Prayer

This Sunday, I will be finishing the 5th of 5 sermons on the Lord's Prayer.  I broke it into verse 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and focused on one verse with supporting other passages each week.  Up to this point, I have used the lectionary scriptures as the basis for each week's sermon.  This has been a fulfilling study for me.  I have also appreciated the comments from others of the deeper meaning they have found in praying and learning about the Lord's prayer.

Most common responses:

• Importance of praying on the whole churches behalf, not just my own requests, and yet, on the other hand, the significance of changing the pronouns to first person reminding us our individual responsibility.
• Importance of not just repeating prayers and expecting magic to happen, but also recognizing that repeating traditional prayers can shape or re-energize our spontaneous prayers.
• This prayer is such a simple prayer that can be understood at our first reading, however, in depth study of this prayer continues to reveal fresh learning about the heart of God and our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

Blessings, and keep praying!

Pastor Dave's Doodles: God-focused Worship

Here is an excellent post from a thinker, theologian, awesome musician, fellow Mennonite Pastor, friend, funny guy, and supper guest this evening... Think about it.

Pastor Dave's Doodles: God-focused Worship: "Does our worship service lead people to an encounter with Christ and the Holy Spirit? Think about why we do what we do in worship. Do we wo..."

The Lord's prayer

Last Sunday I began a series on Matthew 6:9-13, The Lord's Prayer.  Each week I plan to focus on one verse.  Last week was verse 9.  Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name.  These are the main points I hoped to bring out:
-Our, we, us used instead of My, I, me.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ and of Christ and because of Christ.
-Father denotes an intimate family relationship.  For those who have a loving relationship with their fathers, it is instructive to relate to God with the same openness and trust.  For those who don't have a loving relationship with their fathers, God becomes to them what they have never had.
-Heaven is beyond this world.  God's presence and power are everywhere and with us.  Remembering that God is in Heaven, reminds us that God is limited by our earthly existence.  God can break into our reality and bring healing and hope.
-Hallowed means holy and glorified.  This phrase is actually the first request.  We are asking that God's name will be held high and shown to be holy, by our lives.  We are asking for God's power to make our faithfulness bear fruit.  When we live righteously in God's power we lift God's name and reputation up and bring God glory.

May it be so in my life.  I am unable to live this out in my own power.  How about you?