Thought for the Day Oct 5 - 11
Monday
Luke 11.1 “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ’Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
Prayer is a gift, the freedom to come before God and speak out of the heart. Prayer is also an invitation to fellowship with God, to speak with confidence, and in confidence, to the Father who already knows us, understands us, and has promised to receive us as his children. The prayer, “Lord teach us to pray” is the cry of the heart to understand, and to be understood.
Tuesday
Luke 11.2 Jesus said to them, “When you pray say, Father in heaven…”
The Bible has many names and descriptions of God. But Jesus was God’s Son, and naturally called God Father. Perhaps the most telling picture in the Gospels is the father of the prodigal, the waiting father, whose love, patience and mercy can’t wait for the return of the wayward son. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”
Wednesday
Luke 11.2 Jesus said to them, When you pray say, “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
The first prayer request is not for our benefit or blessing. It is that God’s name should be hallowed. That old fashioned word has a deep meaning – “may your name be held in reverence.” When we pray we do the exact opposite of taking God’s name in vain. Our most positive thoughts and feelings are tied up with God’s name – worship, love, obedience, praise, thankfulness.
Thursday
Luke 11.1-2 Jesus said to them, When you pray say, “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”
Matthew tells us what this prayer means – “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” By praying this prayer we are learning that the reign of God begins in our own hearts. The love of our neighbour, being merciful as God is merciful, hallowing God’s name by the very way we live, forgiving as we have been forgiven. We are to speak the good news, and be the good news of God’s kingdom of justice and joy.
Friday
Luke 11.3 “Give us each day our daily bread.”
“Be gentle, when you touch bread,
Let it not be uncared for, unwanted.
So often bread is taken for granted.
There is so much beauty in bread,
Beauty of sun and soil,
Beauty of patient toil.
Winds and rain have caressed it,
Christ often blessed it;
Be gentle when you touch bread.”
Saturday
Luke 11.4 “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sin against us.”
The poet Elizabeth Jennings wrote, “Forgiveness, the word by which we live.” We are forgiven sinners, and are called to be forgiven forgivers. The unforgiving heart closes itself off, and as Christians we contradict the very Gospel that saves us if, having been reconciled to God, we refuse reconciliation to others. Jesus is saying a costly and crucial part of our praying is for grace and mercy to forgive.
Sunday
Luke 11.4 “And lead us not into temptation.”
God doesn’t tempt or encourage us to sin. (See James 1.13-14) On our life journey there are countless times when we are tempted, and such temptations test our faith and our faithfulness as Jesus’ disciples. This is a prayer for strength to overcome temptation, and so to hallow God’s name, and act for the coming of God’s kingdom. And remember, Jesus was tempted as we are… and ever lives to pray for us.
I love the poem you have given for Friday - I checked it out, and there is a second verse about wine. It seems to be attributed to David Adam, who included it in one of his books of Celtic prayers. I have made bread for a long time- but in lockdown, it has become more frequent. The kneading, and the waiting for the rising, and the shaping have taken on new importance. I'm sure you know that the Tudors called yeast "Godisgoode" because they didn't understand the mystery of its working.
Posted by: MRS A M ALMOND | October 05, 2020 at 11:48 AM