Day 33 of 40 day Discipleship Walk with Jesus Christ: Pray ‘Our Father…’
Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Blog link – https://www.otakada.org/day-33-of-40-day-discipleship-walk-with-jesus-christ-pray-our-father/
Full 40 Day Discipleship Walk with Jesus Link – https://www.otakada.org/get-free-40-days-online-discipleship-course-in-a-journey-with-jesus/
Salvation Gift Link – https://www.otakada.org/how-to-be-born-again/
Short Story
My First “Our Father who art in heaven” Prayer
I still remember the day my grandmother taught me the “Our Father who art in heaven” prayer. I was just six years old, and she had come to visit us at our family’s summer cabin in the woods. It was a hot summer day, and my siblings and I were playing outside, jumping in and out of the cool waters of the nearby creek. But as the sun began to set, my grandmother called us inside to say our evening prayers.
As we gathered around the dinner table, my grandmother placed her hands together in a delicate steeple and began to recite the familiar words of the prayer. I remember feeling a sense of wonder as I listened to her speak, the words rolling off her tongue like a soothing melody. I was captivated by the beauty of the language, the rhythm of the phrases, and the warmth in my grandmother’s voice.
As we reached the end of the prayer, my grandmother looked at me with a gentle smile and said, “Now, it’s your turn, dear one.” I felt a flutter in my chest as I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. But with her encouraging eyes on me, I took a deep breath and began to speak the words I had heard so many times before.
As I prayed, I felt a sense of connection to something greater than myself. It was as if I had entered a secret world, one that was filled with love and grace. My voice trembled slightly as I spoke, but my grandmother’s warmth and encouragement seemed to strengthen me, and I felt myself growing more confident with each passing moment.
When I finished, my grandmother smiled and told me how proud she was of me. She said that prayer was a special way of communicating with God, and that He was always listening to us, even when we didn’t realize it. As we finished our dinner and settled into bed that night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had experienced something truly magical.
Over the years, I have come to understand that prayer is more than just a series of words. It is a way of connecting with the divine, of seeking guidance and comfort, and of expressing our deepest desires and hopes. It is a personal and intimate conversation with the One who created us all, and it is a privilege that we should cherish and honor.
And as I look back on that first “Our Father who art in heaven” prayer, I am reminded of the love and support of my grandmother, who taught me the power of faith and the beauty of communication with the divine.
End
Matthew 6:9-13
This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
We learn to pray by praying. When the disciples saw how Jesus prayed they asked him to teach them. Instead of giving a complicate theology, he taught them a simple prayer that starts ‘Our Father in heaven’. It is brief (about 50 words) and covers praise and petition, both for the very practical (our daily bread) and for the theological (the coming kingdom and the holy name of God). This pattern is used by millions of Christians from every background and tradition.
The important thing is that this prayer is to be used. We learn as we pray together. It is not for theological debate but for talking with our Father in heaven. I like to imagine when praying this how a child talks while nestled in a parent’s lap with such intimacy and trust. The phrases can pattern your prayer for broader
development or they can be prayed as is. We learn to pray by praying.
For Reflection:
- Did you grow up with this prayer?
- Do you find it helpful?
Make Life Count:
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer out Find a private place and kneel down while you pray it.
Shalom!
About Author
