David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 6:9-15

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The Lord’s Prayer has been the focus of much study, conversation, and meditation. Rightly so; there are deep truths in this prayer which put life into perspective, remind us of who God really is, and convey truths about our relationship with Him and others.

We pray to a heavenly Father – a remarkably rich name. He is our Father: a daddy, a kind and good, strong and faithful God. He is in heaven: watching over us, enthroned above all creation, able to see the breadth of human suffering, joy, life, death and struggle, and over all of it. He is not aloof, but He is not enmeshed either.

We pray that the Father’s name be holy among us and all people; that His kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as in heaven. The holiness of God’s name is tied to our prayers to the Father, and to His will and kingdom’s cause advancing in the world and in our lives.

We pray that God will give us what we need to get by day to day, recognizing that we live and move and have our being by His grace. In the same we breath ask for forgiveness for ourselves and those who have sinned against us, for we are not just physical beings, but spiritual beings as well and our spirits are starved by sin and unforgiveness.

We pray that He not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil, knowing that God is the One who has determined what is good and what is evil and we need protection from that which is evil.

And just so we are clear on this, Jesus reprises this prayer with a warning about forgiveness: it is most important of all, and so much so that we must never withhold it from one who has sinned against us. Suffice it to say: we must be forgiven if we are to be in the presence of God; and we must forgive if we have been forgiven.

Maybe you struggle with this issue – many people do, for forgiveness is a most difficult thing. For now, however, receive the forgiveness of Christ and refresh your spirit with it. For now, let that forgiveness wash over all your sins – those you have committed as well as those which have been committed against you.