The Lords Prayer
Some of you think that because we say the our Father, that we don't give our individual devotion or petitions to Him.
I say the our Father, but I speak with Him also. By saying the our Father, I am respecting the prayer that Jesus gave us. I understand that we shouldn't use repetitive prayer, but I think that the meaning is for one that ONLY uses repetitive prayer. The Jews and the Gentiles did this, in the years our Lord walked this earth. But Jesus gave us just ONE simple prayer to say. Like I said, I pray the Our Father and then I speak to Him. To me this is distinct form of praise to Him and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Below in Matthew 6, Jesus actually asks us to say this prayer. Who am I to argue with the Lord.
Matthew 6: 6"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8"So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11'Give us this day our daily bread.
12'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
14"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Anyway, the Our Father is a very powerful prayer and can be used each day as an introduction to simple prayer. Both simple prayer and our Saviour's words (the Our Father) can be used together for a healthy prayer life.
God bless and Amen
ixie