Our Prayer

Happy Sabbath grandchildren!!

The article on "Mighty Prayer" in the December 2006 Ensign has caught my attention. I had much of this post ready for a later date but now is the time to publish. I will comment on Mary Jane Woodger's article then follow with comments on the Lord's Prayer.

Prepare for Prayer: The author mentions doing homework on subjects of interest which I agree is essential. This becomes especially important in personal improvement.

Remember that God loves you: A big part of preparation is developing faith in the process. Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. His answer to a prayer will come and it will be the very best answer at the perfect time. If I demand a rush-job then I am saying that I will settle for less than the best. This has been my experience, painful as it has been. Looking back, I see that my impatience has contributed greatly to the painfulness and I wish that I would have plodded on and abandoned the fear that I was not being heard and would not be answered. I could have accomplished much more good.

Express Sincere Gratitude: To be able to express gratitude for each small improvement one must be aware of the improvement. To be aware of the improvement one must be aware of the starting point. One can see how preparation is a big part of this. The more fully we understand our current situation the more clearly we will see the improvements. When we are able to see our own situation clearly then our ability to have empathy will increase.

Pray Fervently: "You have got to desire it with all your soul" she quotes President Lee. I think of the story about the man who came to his teacher wanting something. His teacher took him to some water, bent him down, held his head under the water until he fought with all his might to be free, and when he had freed himself from his teachers grasp the teacher said something like "When you want it that much then you will get it." We must learn to advocate for ourselves. If something is on our list then we can measure its value by how hard we would be willing to work to get it. The world takes - it does not give. Please do not expect high-valued hopes and dreams to be easily satisfied - and certainly not by the world.

Pray in Specifics: "Bless my family" is always an appropriate request but when some specific need comes along the requirement to prepare ourselves so that we can express gratitude comes into play. One can not be specific if one is oblivious to the specific need.

Pray Aloud: Several times immediate answers to my praying aloud have surprised me. If I feel the need to pray aloud then I usually do so while driving somewhere early in the morning. Since I am often up early, I can be sure to be alone on the highway. There may be better places but this has worked great for me.

So now, the Lord's Prayer. You will see elements of the above through out it.

Jesus said:

After this manner therefore pray ye:

1. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
   
2. Thy kingdom come.
   
3. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
   
4. Give us this day our daily bread.
   
5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
   
6. And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
   
7. Amen
   

1. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our

All the Savior's words that come after his words "pray ye" belong to us by commandment. Since his words are to all the people of the earth, the word "Our" logically unifies us, the people of the earth, into a single group. The single greatest threat to peace and joy at any level is division. The minimal step of agreeing that we are a single group gives us a basis for resolving all other differences. The act of denying that fact makes resolution of the differences impossible. And, "If ye are not one, ye are not mine."


Father which art in heaven


Our relationship to God is to be as worthy child to worthy parent. As we at least admit (and at most take joy in the fact) that Father is in a greater place that we are, we can have confidence that he is greater than we are.


Hallowed be thy name


The Greek sentence would be "Let thy name be sanctified." (LDS). This is in the future tense as in "Let thy name be sanctified among all men."


2. Thy kingdom come.

He has a kingdom where his will is gladly done and we want that same government here so we can gladly do his will.

3. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In the mean time, we will do his will here.

4. Give us this day our daily bread.

We have needs and the best ways to satisfy those needs comes from him. We don't expect our future needs to be met today. In fact, we want daily interaction with him.

5. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

We owe when we sin. We have no way to pay. Please forgive us of that debt. Part of the way we obtain forgiveness is to forgive others.

6. Lead us not into temptation

The Syraic sentence would be "do not let us enter into temptation." (LDS)
As our Father, you lead our lives. However, there is nothing worldly that we desire so help us avoid all temptation.


but deliver us from evil:

The Greek says "but protect us from the evil one." (LDS)
While we do not seek evil, we know that it comes after us so please protect us.


For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.


We know that your kingdom will eventually be here and we will see your glory.


7. Amen

"It is so" or "so be it" or "firm" or "sure" amen