The Selfish Lord’s Prayer

I don’t know if you have ever thought of the Lord’s Prayer (actually this prayer is more accurately “The Disciples’ Prayer”, as Jesus is teaching them how to pray in answering their request that He do so. The Lord’s Prayer is in John 17)Prayer hands as selfish but it certainly sounds that way when you read it word for word. These are the specific words Jesus used to answer the disciples request of “Lord, teach us to pray. “ Here is His answer in The AUTHORIZED version, the KING JAMES Bible in Matthew 6 and Luke 11:

Jesus said, “When you pray say:

OUR Father

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Your Kingdom come,

Your will be done

On earth

As it is in heaven.

Give US this day OUR daily bread and

 
Forgive US OUR trespasses as
 

WE forgive those who trespass against US.

And Lead US not into temptation but

Deliver US from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom and

The power and the glory forever.

Amen.”

As it is written this can seem to be a very selfish prayer. However, Jesus tells us to pray these words to our Heavenly Father. Yes,the Kingdom, power and glory belong to God but our prayer is to unashamedly ask our Father God to do something for US! Can you believe that! Jesus is teaching US to ASK GOD to GIVE US, FORGIVE US, NOT LEAD US into temptation, DELIVER US from evil. All of these requests are made as we acknowledge the Kingdom , the power and the glory belong to God but WE are instructed by Jesus to ask God to BLESS US.

God is saying that His Kingdom, power and glory can be called into the daily lives of those who call Him Father. Think about this the next time you are tempted to erroneously think and pray as a “sinner saved by grace.” Renew your mind to the truth that you WERE a sinner but now you are saved by grace through faith and have become a new creation and God is at work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. You are now born of God and He calls you “son.” Your Father God greatly desires and is patiently waiting to bless YOU through His kingdom, power and glory. NOW, TODAY, IN THIS EARTH!
It really is something to think about!