Have any of you researched what is commonly known as "The Lord's Prayer"?
I discovered some insights there that, for me, makes a huge difference in what Christ Jesus was telling His disciples.
For instance, did you know that when we say "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done", we are leaving out one simple word that makes a difference as to what He was saying.
That one little word is LET.
"LET Thy Kingdom come, LET Thy will be done."
This places the emphasis on an undeniable truth; that God IS in control of what is going on, and it is only by His will that His Kingdom is being built and multiplied through His Ambassadors; the true Christians.
Another major point is this:
We say "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
Or as some translations say "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
In either case, the emphasis seems to be on how we treat those who have wronged us; as in the present or future tense.
In reading through this passage and learning what it truly says, I discovered yet another truth.
That truth is that Christ Jesus was teaching them to pray this prayer with the emphasis being on PAST tense.
He was saying that we should pray that our Heavenly Father would treat us in the same way we have treated others.
This hit me like a rock.
When I stopped to think about the impact of this truth, a (non-environmentally friendly) light bulb turned on!
The next time you pray The Lord's Prayer, insert the word "Let", so it says "Let Thy Kingdom come,..."; and then think about how you have been treating others when you say 'Forgive us our debts (or trespasses."), as we forgive our debtors."
And see if it makes a difference to you.
I know it did to me!
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Thank you for your response.
I agree that there is so much more than what one learns as a child when it comes to ,what is known as, The Lords Prayer.
This is but just one example of why I believe that as Christians, we should ALWAYS search and research those things which we are taught. Whether it be from a pulpit, stage, or in a Bible study; it makes no difference.
This could easily get into a different discussion on my part, so I'd better not take this particular point any further.
Like it's recorded in the book of Acts:
"They searched the Scriptures to see if these things were true." (Loose translation)
A few years ago in a home group we did a study on the Lord's prayer...I think it was based on a (teaching/study) by Larry Lea(sp)...it was a great look at the Lord's prayer. I revisit that study every once in awhile(not as often as I should). The Lord's prayer is certainly so much more than the rote response I learned as a child. Thank you for this look at the Lord's prayer.
Thanks for the response!
I have found myself saying "Let Thy kingdom come..." when everyone is asked to join in.
I just do it automatically. (Well, most of the time anyway.)
One can only wonder about what great things God would do if ALL of His children were to pray that way.
It boggles the mind! (Well, it does mine anyway.)
Dear Howard,
Wow--powerful thoughts. Your LET and AS comments remind me of the powerful position and authority which God has given to His Church.
What do I mean? When God said He gave Adam and Eve (the federal heads of all creation) dominion over all things, He meant it! How much dominion was that? Over all the earth and including the entire physical universe. How do I know it included the universe? Because that's how much fell into a state of decay, indicating how much dominion they forfeited over to satan. Then Jesus came, and with His perfect humanity, perfect life and death, and Diety, He reclaimed dominion back from satan. Since God originally stated man has dominion and God can never go back on His Word, He handed the dominion back to mankind. How? Jesus stated to Peter and The Church (the spiritual head) that He gave the keys of the Kingdom and even the gates of hell could not prevail. Jesus also said whatsoever a man binds on earth is also bound in Heaven. Just consider, the first dominion encompassed the earth and universe. The second dominion encompasses the earth, universe, and into Heaven itself. Jesus' recapture of dominion was so powerful and final that even if mankind does nothing with it, it still can never go back to satan.
When I read your post and align it with the powerful dominion and authority God has given us in the second dominion, those words LET and AS became all the more powerful in their meanings and directives to us.
Replies
Thank you for your response.
I agree that there is so much more than what one learns as a child when it comes to ,what is known as, The Lords Prayer.
This is but just one example of why I believe that as Christians, we should ALWAYS search and research those things which we are taught. Whether it be from a pulpit, stage, or in a Bible study; it makes no difference.
This could easily get into a different discussion on my part, so I'd better not take this particular point any further.
Like it's recorded in the book of Acts:
"They searched the Scriptures to see if these things were true." (Loose translation)
Thanks for the response!
I have found myself saying "Let Thy kingdom come..." when everyone is asked to join in.
I just do it automatically. (Well, most of the time anyway.)
One can only wonder about what great things God would do if ALL of His children were to pray that way.
It boggles the mind! (Well, it does mine anyway.)
Wow--powerful thoughts. Your LET and AS comments remind me of the powerful position and authority which God has given to His Church.
What do I mean? When God said He gave Adam and Eve (the federal heads of all creation) dominion over all things, He meant it! How much dominion was that? Over all the earth and including the entire physical universe. How do I know it included the universe? Because that's how much fell into a state of decay, indicating how much dominion they forfeited over to satan. Then Jesus came, and with His perfect humanity, perfect life and death, and Diety, He reclaimed dominion back from satan. Since God originally stated man has dominion and God can never go back on His Word, He handed the dominion back to mankind. How? Jesus stated to Peter and The Church (the spiritual head) that He gave the keys of the Kingdom and even the gates of hell could not prevail. Jesus also said whatsoever a man binds on earth is also bound in Heaven. Just consider, the first dominion encompassed the earth and universe. The second dominion encompasses the earth, universe, and into Heaven itself. Jesus' recapture of dominion was so powerful and final that even if mankind does nothing with it, it still can never go back to satan.
When I read your post and align it with the powerful dominion and authority God has given us in the second dominion, those words LET and AS became all the more powerful in their meanings and directives to us.