The Encourager

A Publication of Encouragement Ministries

The Lord's Prayer

The prayer has not changed — only my childhood perception of it. These words of Jesus are truth that endures forever, but He has changed me. As a child, I could repeat every word quickly and perfectly, but without understanding or knowing Him who taught it. After a long relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ, and with our Father, these immortal words have become a comfort and a cherished portion of Scripture to me.

Our Our - includes Jesus and me.

Father Father - is a person I love, Who first loved me and sent his Son to die for my sins rather than live forever without me.

Which art in Heaven - Heaven has changed from a vague, far-off "somewhere" to a place in my Father’s house prepared by Jesus and described by facts found in the final chapters of Revelation. - Heaven has changed from a vague, far-off "somewhere" to a place in my Father’s house prepared by Jesus and described by facts found in the final chapters of Revelation.

Hallowed be Thy Name Hallowed be Thy Name - I knew not what it meant. Now I know by the quick pain in my heart and mind each time that "Name which is above every name" is used in vain and defiled and defamed.

Thy kingdom come - Once I thought, "What kingdom? When? Where? And what about the little kingdom I am building?" Now my heart cries, "May your kingdom come soon - let it come soon, Lord, please. We need You, and we shall be the King’s bride!" - Once I thought, "What kingdom? When? Where? And what about the little kingdom I am building?" Now my heart cries, "May your kingdom come soon - let it come soon, Lord, please. We need You, and we shall be the King’s bride!"

Thy will be done Thy will be done - has changed from fear, dread, and uncertainty to a trust that His will is "good and acceptable and perfect." He has proven it to me innumerable times.

On earth as it is in Heaven On earth as it is in Heaven - Earth desperately needs His will to be done to its remotest corners, as it is - and will be - done in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread Give us this day our daily bread - God wants us to ask for physical food, and delights to give it daily.

Forgive us our debts Forgive us our debts (sins, transgressions) - Now I know how great is my need for forgiveness of my sins and for grace.

As we forgive our debtors    As we forgive our debtors - We know how much it cost you Father, and Jesus, to provide that forgiveness, so we ought to forgive all others all wrongs against us - gladly! How freeing!

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil    And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil - Deliverance from evil is His promise! When temptations abound and evil surrounds and threatens to overwhelm us, He is there strong to deliver!

Thine is the Kingdom     Thine is the Kingdom - Come quickly, dear King!

And the power      And the power - "All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me," Jesus said.

And the glory forever.       Amen And the glory forever. Amen. - "...to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6) Amen!

In these 60+ words Jesus covered all the bases - Our Father, heaven, His name, His kingdom, His will, our daily bread, our forgiveness (via the cross), and our deliverance from evil forever. His is the kingdom, power, and glory! We stand totally triumphant in Him! That is encouraging!

Pauline Soderstrom

All scripture taken from the Holy Bible, The New International  
Version, Zondervan Bible Publishers and The Living Bible, Tyndale House Publishers.

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