Faith Daily | 17 June 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p552

Lord,

we beseech you to keep your family, the Church,

in continual godliness,

that through your protection

it may be free from all adversities,

and devoutly given to serve you in good works,

to the glory of your name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 6: 7-15

7 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 ‘Pray then in this way: 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 this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Hilary Bell

How to reflect on one of the best known and loved passages in all scripture?

Along with others, I have been with frail aged people, who through dementia and other conditions, are almost mute. Unable to recognize family members or converse with them, yet they listen, their lips move, sometimes a few words are murmured, as “The Lord’s Prayer” is spoken. What a powerful experience!

For some this was the first prayer they learned as very young children and one they have said aloud daily for most of their lives. For many lifelong Christians this prayer is a constant comfort when other words simply won’t come. Reassuringly, Jesus reminds us that God already knows our every need. Prayer is not about length, erudition or beautiful language. Prayer is between us and God, not for public show.

Sadly generations of Australians now have never known this prayer that Jesus taught and which encompasses so much of our lives with others but more importantly, our relationship with God, our Father.

Some of this prayer addresses how we live in the here and now, our frailties, our difficulties in forgiving others, our surrender to temptation. We need God’s help. We need Jesus, “the bread of life” as daily bread to sustain our souls.

The Lord’s Prayer honours God, it acknowledges His power and glory, it affirms our unique privilege that we can call Him Father. Seeking to be kingdom people, seeking to do God’s will on earth, yearning to be in relationship with our Father now and into eternity, this is our prayer.

FINAL PRAYER: New Zealand

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven.

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on Earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.

Amen