David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 6:1-15

Pray then like this:

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Lord’s Prayer he gave us not only a model for prayer, but also some vitally important building blocks for faith. That God’s name would be hallowed reminds us of how good, holy, pure, and worthy God’s name is. When we turn to him, we turn to one who is true to his name. When it comes to praying that God’s kingdom comes, it is a reminder that our ultimate hope and destiny is not of this world, yet we pray for God’s kingdom to break through into our lives and the lives of others. We are praying that God’s reign would take place in our hearts, that we would see, experience, believe in and live under Christ’s good and gracious reign.

When it comes to praying that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heave, however, we might wonder whether this builds faith or calls for faith. If we’re not sure God has our best interests at heart, to pray for his will is difficult and often an act of surrender rather than faith. On the other hand, however, if we believe that God’s will IS good, we will desire that for ourselves and others.

The faith-building good news of this petition of the Lord’s prayer has to do with the “as it is in heaven” part of the petition. God’s will in heaven is perfectly done. And listen to what it is: Jesus is glorified. He wipes tears from the faces of those who are his own. He supplies light to all. He hosts a victory feast that celebrates the victory of good over evil in the fullest, most complete, and final way.

If we think of praying for God’s will to be done on earth just as it is in heaven, we are praying for a foretaste of the perfection of heaven. No more disease. No more suffering. All injustice is ended. Grace abounds to all. Mercy triumphs. All is pure and well.

So whenever you pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” do so with the confidence that you are praying the best prayer of all. This is no cop out. It is the purest hope and greatest blessing we could ever imagine. For God is good, and his mercy endures forever.

Matthew 6:1-15

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

²  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹  Pray then like this:

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.