I last shared a reflection on The Lord’s Prayer from an unknown author for the May 23, 2025 edition of The Evangel. You can find it at our church website, www.BradenPark.org. This week I want to write about the requests made in this prayer Jesus taught His disciples. All true prayers begin at a place of personal humility and continue in that spirit through to the end. Jesus’ prayer is no exception. His very first request, or ask of God, is Hallowed be Thy name. This echoes the commandment not to take the Lord God’s name in vain—to misuse it or profane it. Rather it’s a request to recognize that invoking the Lord God’s name is a holy and sacred privilege. 

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, is both an invitation for the Lord’s immediate presence in our daily living, but also for the earthly governing structures of our times to be overthrown. This is a treasonous prayer in the eyes of those who would lord over the kingdoms, people, land and resources of our world. Replacing the structures of our world with the heavenly order of justice and peace is a revolutionary request.

Give us this day our daily bread reflects the gift of manna in our wilderness journeys in this world. It reminds us that we are not as self-sufficient as we pretend to be. We are not the source of life or sustenance. It teaches us the provision of God. Forgive us our sins (debts/trespasses) is the confession of our sinfulness, and the ways we have not only fallen short of God’s standards, but an opportunity to name our sins, recognizing the hold our sins have on our lives. As we forgive those who sin against us points out our unresolved conflicts, stored-up hurts and bitterness, and the release that comes only with forgiveness. How long can you hold a grudge? How willing are you to forgive like God does?

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil is the asking for God-directed steps as we map out our day. It recognizes the habitual opportunities that take us off the pathway, as well as the overwhelming calls and urges to walk away from the Lord completely and surrender to evil. Deliverance comes by surrendering to God’s Holy Spirit.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Ask humbly. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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