Luke 11:1-4 NRSVue

¹He 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.” ²So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come.

³Give us each day our daily bread. ⁴And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”^,

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Many Jewish rabbis would teach their disciples a simple prayer. This prayer of Jesus has depths we never totally fathom. We can linger on every word.

Reflection
If we call God Father, we say that he knows our needs, and wants to give what will help us most. Lord, for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray. Give me your love and grace just for today.

Reflection
I call you Father; Jesus taught me to use this metaphor. I know that you, Lord, are beyond gender and surpass our imagination. But I relish the overtones of Father, one who knows and loves me, and whose often mysterious providence is there in everything that befalls me.