Our recent series on the Lord’s Prayer explored its timeless words with fresh eyes. More than just a prayer, it’s a framework for the kind of life Jesus wants us to live – moving us from asking to acting, from praying to participating in God’s work. Each line pulls us deeper into God’s heart, reminding us who God is, who we are, and how we’re called not just to pray but to live, love, and act in the world.
Here’s a quick recap using the NRSVUE translation, shaped around what we ask of God and how we are called to act in response:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy.
Ask
For God’s character to be known and revered throughout the world.
Act
Practice daily acts of kindness, stand up for what is right, treat others with dignity and respect, and live with trust and confidence, knowing we are deeply loved and never alone, held in the care of a God who nurtures us like a loving parent.
May your kingdom come. May your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Ask
For God’s justice, peace, and love to shape the world around us.
Act
Be agents of change by volunteering in our communities, advocating for justice, promoting peace and equity in daily life, and actively working to align our actions with God’s dream for creation.
Give us today our daily bread.
Ask
For our daily needs to be met, trusting God to provide for us and for others.
Act
Share resources generously, support food banks, care for neighbors in need, and cultivate gratitude for the provisions we receive.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Ask
For forgiveness from God in proportion to the forgiveness we extend to others.
Act
Engage in personal and communal practices of forgiveness, seek reconciliation with those we’ve wronged, release grudges, and advocate for economic justice, addressing systems of inequality and exploitation.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from evil.
Ask
To avoid unnecessary trials and hardship, and for strength, courage, and resource to endure when they do inevitably come our way.
Act
Embrace the reality of trials as part of the journey of faith, stand firm through prayer, draw strength from faith communities, and expect opposition as a sign of faithful living in alignment with Jesus’ teachings.
Check out all the messages from this series
Rev. Tom Hathaway - January 26, 2025
And Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Which is the best translation of the Lord’s Prayer – debts, sins, or trespasses? In this sermon, we explore the surprising answer and unpack the deeper meaning of Jesus’ words: a call to forgive others as freely as we’ve been forgiven. This isn’t just a prayer – it’s a challenge to live out radical forgiveness in every part of our lives.
Scripture References: Matthew 6:7-12
From Series: "Pray Like This"
We recite the Lord’s Prayer every week, but how often do we stop to consider its meaning? This five-week sermon series will explore each phrase of this beloved prayer, uncovering its historical, theological, and practical significance. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to call God our Father, seek his kingdom and will on earth, and ask for daily bread, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. Whether these words are familiar or new to you, this series will deepen your understanding and renew your connection to this cornerstone of Christian faith.
More From "Pray Like This"
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Our Father Who Art In HeavenRev. Tom Hathaway - January 5, 2025Matthew 6:7-9 |
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Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be DoneRev. Tom Hathaway - January 12, 2025Matthew 6:7-10 |
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Our Daily BreadRev. Wendy Miller Olapade - January 19, 2025Matthew 6:7-11 |
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And Forgive Us Our TrespassesRev. Tom Hathaway - January 26, 2025Matthew 6:7-12 |
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And Lead Us Not Into TemptationRev. Tom Hathaway - February 2, 2025Matthew 6:7-13 |
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