The Lord's Prayer

9th Sunday after Pentecost

July 29

Proper 12

Lectionary 17

Sermon

Luke 11:1-13

"The Lord’s Prayer"

"He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ’Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ’Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"" Luke 11:1-13, RSV.

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

I have chosen this morning to look at a part of our gospel lesson this morning, the part concerning what has become know as the Lord’s Prayer.

This prayer has become something that is prayed at time without thinking what we are saying. And to help us understand how misunderstood this prayer has become, I would like to read to you this morning a dramatization of this prayer.

Someone is praying the Lord’s Prayer and God breaks in to answer.

Our Father who art in Heaven...

’Yes?’

Don’t interrupt me. I’m Praying...

’But you called Me.’

Called you? I didn’t call you. I’m praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.

’There, you did it again.’

Did what?

’Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven..." Here I am. What’s on your mind?’

But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord’s Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.

’All right. Go on.’

Hallowed be Thy name.

’Hold it. What do you mean by that?’

By what?

’By "Hallowed be Thy name."’

It means.... it means.... good grief, I don’t know what it means. How should I know? It’s just part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

’It means "honored," "Holy," "Wonderful."’

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "Hallowed" meant before. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

’Do you really mean that?’

Sure, why not?

’What are you going to do about it?’

Do? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.

’Have I got control of you?’

Well, I go to church.

’That isn’t what I asked you. What about that habit of lust you have? And your bad temper? You’ve really got a problem there, you know. And then there’s the way you spend your money...all on yourself. And what about the kinds of books you read?’

Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those phonies in church.

’Excuse me....I thought you were praying for My will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.’

Oh all right! I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

’So could I.’

I haven’t thought about it until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I’d like to, you know, be really free.

’Good, now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together.... you and I can have some victories that can truly be won. I’m proud of you.’