Pray Then In This Way

This meditation is based on a passage for February 28, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 6:5-15

Reflection and Question: In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching us about prayer. He encourages us to develop a personal, private life of prayer by connecting with God separate from public worship. He basically tells us to keep it simple when we pray because God knows what we need and want anyway. Though huge libraries of books have been written about the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer itself, is quite simple. Jesus comments on only one petition in it: Forgive us, as we forgive others. My job then, is to forgive all others. Period. How do you pray as Jesus taught us?

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Do what’s best — as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything You want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes (Eugene Peterson, The Message, p. 1754-1755, Mt 6:9-12).