Leader: Charlene Blackwell

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Teach Us to Pray

Theme: Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. Proper 12 (17), Year C

Object: Makings for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

 

Scripture: Luke 11:2-4 (KJV)

Have you ever tried to teach another person how to do something? Suppose that a friend came to you and said, "Teach me how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." What would you say? Well you might say something like this:
 
First you get two slices of bread.
Next you get some peanut butter and spread it on one slice of bread.
Then you get some jelly—I like grape—and you spread that on the bread.
Finally, put the two slices of bread together.
When you have done that, then you EAT IT!
 
As you all know, Jesus spent much time in prayer and he was a great teacher. One day he went to a quiet place to pray. When he had finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray."
 
Jesus answered, "When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
 
Give us day by day our daily bread.
 
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."
 
That is a beautiful prayer, isn't it? It isn't a very long prayer, but there are three things in this short prayer that every prayer should include. First of all, it praises God, our heavenly Father. Second, it asks God to provide for what we need for each day. Finally, it asks for God's forgiveness for the times that we fall short of what he expects of us.
 
After 2000 years, we still pray the way that Jesus taught us.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.