As Christmas draws nearer, have you been praying for your family gatherings? Some people love the holidays, but others dread the prospect of being cooped up with relatives. Advent offers an opportunity for prayer and preparation for those holiday gatherings.
In Luke 11, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. Have you ever looked at the pronouns in the Lord’s Prayer? Note how many are first person plural…”our Father,” “give us this day our daily bread,” “forgive us our trespasses,” and “lead us not into temptation.” Remember that Jesus is praying this prayer along with us. “Our Father” refers to our Father but also his Father.
Jesus was fully human. Like us, he required daily bread. He needed strength to resist temptation. He extended forgiveness from the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Thus, this prayer is truly our Lord’s prayer, not just our own.
Who taught Jesus to pray as a child? I’m confident that Joseph prayed, but Luke only recorded one prayer. It was Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1. Her prayer is quite different from the Lord’s Prayer, but they both express praise and faith in the power of God to care for his people.
With Christmas at our doorstep, take some time today to pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud. Say it with Jesus, remembering he too depended on the Father’s strength while he lived in human flesh.
