Summary: This is the passage where one of Jesus' disciples, after watching Jesus pray, comes up to him and asks Jesus to teach him and the other disciples 'How to pray.' This is one of the two places in scripture that Jesus gives us all an example , or model, how we should pray.

Happy, "NEW" Saturday, Everyone!

I must say, I have never been one to get all excited about new years resolutions. Not because they can't be kept, but because they are cliché'.

Traditionally, they make sense, but more than not, a new years resolution just fades into the sunset, so to speak. So for that very reason, I am making a challenge to all my faithful Christian friends out there.

This Sunday's Sunday School lesson is taken from Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 6:9-13. This is the passage where one of Jesus' disciples, after watching Jesus pray, comes up to him and asks Jesus to teach him and the other disciples 'How to pray.' This is one of the two places in scripture that Jesus gives us all an example , or model, how we should pray. We grew up knowing this as "The Lord's Prayer." So let me tell you why I'm making a challenge and what the challenge may be. Do you know that most children in school right now, Can NOT, recite the Lord's Prayer? Do you know that the Model prayer that Jesus Christ gave the world for getting and keeping in touch with God - is not even in the minds and hearts of the next generation? Friends, do you realize that your grandchildren may never even know who Jesus Christ is because of the world we live in today? This is horrifying!

Soooooooooooooo, Here is my challenge... teach someone - The Lord's Prayer. That's right...teach someone The Lord's Prayer, even if it's yourself!

"Our Father, which art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done,

In earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our , trespasses (debts and sins),

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever, Amen."

NOW, once you memorize this, our Lord's prayer, you can pray with more power, more passion, and more focus, because Jesus has shone us the "model" for prayer. Your children will better be able to get in touch and keep in contact with the Father in Heaven who loves them.

Have a great week and a wonderful, fruitful New Year! ...Amen!

See you Sunday for your first Sunday of the year...in church!