Matthew 6:9-15 NIV
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ‘ [14] For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
As prayer becomes one of our focuses this year after our Family Gathering last Sunday, this most famous of prayers becomes the obvious place to start. Notice how the heart of this prayer is relationship. It’s based on God’s father-like love of us that turns this from being a shopping list to an acknowledgement of dependence and trust, and is a prayer for good relationships as we learn to accept and forgive each other and ourselves.
Father, help us to speak and live this prayer.
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