Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Lord's Prayer Part II - Talking to the Father about the Family, Part 36 of 61

TEXT: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:9-12).

IDEA: The fifth petition asking for forgiveness uses plural pronouns.

PURPOSE: To help listeners explore what it might mean when they pray, “Forgive us our debts.”

What do you make of the assertion, “You can’t be a Christian alone”?

I. Why do you think that many of the petitions in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” are plural?

Do you find it somewhat strange that this petition is plural: “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors”?

Do you ever pray this way if you are not quoting this prayer?

II. Who might be included in the request, “Forgive US our debtors”?

Is it a polite way of referring to ourselves?

Might it include our church or other Christians?

Could it include our nation? Might it include the killing that takes place in the wars we fight?

III. When we pray for others and ourselves, do you find it obvious that we should pray for their sins?

If we were to look at a prayer list dictated by God, how might it surprise us?