The Lord’s Prayer 1

Who wrote the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer See Luke 11:1 on next page:

Luke 11:1 One of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” So Jesus told them, “Pray in this way:” “Our Father ….” Do you know why the disciples would be SHOCKED?

They would be shocked … Because Jesus said they could call God by the word “Father.”

How could God be our “father? Because we are united to Jesus. Read: Galatians 3:26 on the next page:

Galatians 3:26 “All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Jesus.” (This is what we call a “relationship to God.”)

When we call God “Father,” we mean: We know we are in God’s family.

When we call God “Father,” we mean: We trust that God will take care of us See Luther’s explanation on the next page:

Luther explains: We can ask God for what we need, Just as naturally as asking our own mom or dad. We don’t need to hold back --- We can expect He really will help us.

When we call God “Father,” we mean: We agree that God has the right to give us commandments Just like our parents can tell us what to do.

When we call God “Father,” we mean: If we disobey, He has the right to punish us. See Hebrews 12:9 on the next page:

Hebrews 12:9 “Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn’t it even better to let our spiritual Father correct us?”

How does God correct us? Usually by letting us get the results of our own mistakes. Can you think of examples?

How else does God correct us? Often through His representatives on earth: Parents Teachers Police

When you get punished Don’t say, “God, why didn’t you protect me?” Rather say, “God thank you for correcting me.” See Hebrews 12:10-11 on the next page:

Hebrews 12:10-11 “God corrects us for our own good… It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, it is painful at the time. But afterwards the result is a life of peace and upstanding character for those who have been trained.”

When we call God “Father,” we mean: Most of all, that God is love. See 1 John 4:19-20 on the next page.

1 John 4:19-20 “We love, because God first loved us. But if we say we love God, and don’t love each other, we are liars.”

When we call God “Father,” we mean: We will treat others like brothers and sisters. See 1 John 5:1 on the next page:

1 John 5:1 “If we believe that Jesus is truly Christ, we are God’s children. Everyone who loves the father will also love His children.”

So What …? Every time we say the Lord’s prayer, we are pledging to act like God’s children. God has promised to make us into that kind of person. See Philippians 2:13 on the next page:

Philippians 2:13 God is at work in you, to make you want to do right, and to give you the power to do it.” This is why he truly is a “Father.” Thanks for watching! Words by Jim Found