Topical Encyclopedia The Lord's Prayer, also known as the "Our Father," is a central prayer in Christian liturgy and theology, taught by Jesus Christ to His disciples. It is recorded in the New Testament in two places: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. The prayer is a model of how believers should pray, emphasizing reverence, dependence on God, and the seeking of His will.Biblical Text: In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord's Prayer is presented as part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs His followers on various aspects of righteous living. The Berean Standard Bible renders the prayer as follows: "Therefore, you should pray like this: '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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" (Matthew 6:9-13) In Luke's account, the context is a response to a disciple's request for Jesus to teach them to pray, as John the Baptist taught his disciples. The prayer is slightly shorter: "So He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" (Luke 11:2-4) Theological Significance: 1. Addressing God as Father: The prayer begins with "Our Father," signifying a personal and communal relationship with God. This address reflects the intimate and familial relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ. 2. Hallowed Be Your Name: This phrase acknowledges the holiness and sanctity of God's name, calling believers to revere and honor Him in their lives. 3. Your Kingdom Come: This petition expresses a longing for God's sovereign rule to be fully realized on earth, aligning with the eschatological hope of the coming Kingdom of God. 4. Your Will Be Done: Believers are encouraged to submit to God's will, seeking His purposes and plans above their own desires. 5. Daily Provision: The request for "daily bread" signifies reliance on God for physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment, recognizing Him as the provider of all needs. 6. Forgiveness of Debts: The prayer emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, both receiving it from God and extending it to others, reflecting the transformative power of grace in the believer's life. 7. Deliverance from Temptation and Evil: The final petitions seek God's protection from the trials and temptations of life and deliverance from the influence of the evil one, acknowledging human vulnerability and the need for divine assistance. Liturgical Use: The Lord's Prayer holds a prominent place in Christian worship across denominations. It is recited in various liturgical settings, including the Eucharist, daily prayers, and special services. Its use underscores the unity of believers in their shared faith and dependence on God. Historical Context: The Lord's Prayer has been a foundational element of Christian catechesis and instruction since the early Church. Church Fathers, such as Tertullian and Augustine, wrote extensively on its meaning and application, highlighting its role in shaping Christian doctrine and practice. Interpretative Notes: The prayer's structure and content reflect key themes of Jesus' teaching, such as the Kingdom of God, forgiveness, and reliance on divine providence. Its simplicity and depth make it accessible to all believers, serving as a guide for personal and communal prayer. Conclusion: The Lord's Prayer remains a vital expression of Christian faith, encapsulating core theological truths and the believer's relationship with God. Its enduring relevance is seen in its continued use and reflection in Christian life and worship. Smith's Bible Dictionary Lords Prayerthe prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays." --Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion, --sentiments which are the germs of all holy deeds in all worlds. (1) Filial reverence : God is addressed not as the great unknown, not as the unsearchable governor, but as a father, the most intelligible, attractive and transforming name. It is a form of address almost unknown to the old covenant, now an then hinted at as reminding the children of their rebellion. (Isaiah 1:2); Mali 1:6 Or mentioned as a last resource of the orphan and desolate creature, (Isaiah 63:16) but never brought out in its fullness, as indeed it could not be, till he was come by whom we have received the adoption of sons." --Alford. (2) "Divine loyalty : Thy kingdom come.? (3) Conscious dependence : Give us this day,? etc. (4) Unbounded confidence : For thine is the power,? etc." --Dr. Thomas' Genius of the Gospels. The doxology, "For thine is the kingdom" etc., is wanting in many manuscripts. It is omitted in the Revised Version; but it nevertheless has the authority of some manuscripts, and is truly biblical, almost every word being found in (1 Chronicles 29:11) and is a true and fitting ending for prayer. Library Christ's Intercession... First Part. Prayer. The Redeemer's Prayer Prayer. How Brother Pacifico, Being in Prayer, Saw the Soul of Brother ... Lord of Mercy and of Might Savior, when Night Involves the Skies Prayer for the Abolition of Slavery. The Costliness of Prayer Resources What is the Athanasian Creed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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