Faith Daily | 6 October 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p588

Generous God,

whose hand is open

to fill all things living with plenteousness:

make us ever thankful for your goodness,

and grant that we, remembering the account

that we must one day give,

may be faithful stewards of your bounty;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 11: 1-4

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Rev'd Jonathan

‘The Lord’s Prayer’ (as Christians know these verses) is often one of the first prayers we learn. There have been variations added to the text from time to time, for one reason or another, but it remains the most recognisable Christian text world-wide.

There are many creative ways to explore the Lord’s Prayer, especially with young people or new Christians. One I have come across is from Dr Elizabeth Windsor. She typically produces a bag of objects for a group, where each object represents a line of the full prayer. In order, these are:

A Poster with a collage of photos of people (and people with animals) demonstrating love to one another

Another Poster with the word “HOLY” written in large letters

A Globe to represent the Earth

A loaf of bread

Another sign that says “No Trespassing”

A stack of Monopoly money

A Crown

Can you work out why she uses these particular objects to explain each part of the prayer?

The Lord’s Prayer has also been set to music countless times. Some may recall Sister Janet Mead’s 1973 rock version which entered the popular music charts, reaching number 3 in Australia and number 4 in the US! (Watch it here.) Another call-and-response version may be viewed on our parish YouTube channel by clicking here and fast-forwarding to the 31.00 minute mark. This version came to me via friends who said they had learnt it at the Anglican Clare Community at Stroud, NSW. It was a pleasure to record the same version during the 2020 lockdown with the Bailey family, which we then used for many of our on-line recorded services.

By learning and reciting the Lord’s Prayer, daily, weekly or as often as we are able, we are not only showing obedience to our Lord who taught us to pray it, but we are joining with all of our Christian brothers and sisters who have recited the same prayer, around the world and throughout time. Surely, whenever you say the prayer, another Christian somewhere in the world is also praying it at the same time – a reminder that the Lord’s Prayer unites us as the Body of Christ, wherever we are and whatever is happening.

FINAL PRAYER: Luke 11:2-4 (Eugene Peterson, The Message)

Father,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

Amen.