FAQs Mondays: What Do We Pray for in the First Petition of the Lord's Prayer?

Last week, we answered the question, "What does the opening of the Lord's Prayer teach us?".  You can read that post here.  This week we want to continue looking at the Lord's Prayer.

What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord's Prayer?

In the first petition, which is "Hallowed be your name," we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all of life, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.  Paul tells us, "For from him [God] and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36).  He also reminds us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).  Revelation 4:11 states, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."  Hear the words of Psalm 67:1-3:

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, (Selah) that your way may be know on earth, your saving power among all nations.  Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Summary

The first petition, or request, of the Lord's Prayer is that God would enable us and others to bring him glory.  We approach with a childlike confidence in our heavenly Father's love, and we ask him to make his glory known through us.  We want the world to know how great our Father in heaven truly is.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What do we pray for in the second petition of the Lord's Prayer?".

Sunday Recap 12-19-10

Morning:  The message, "Responding to God's Message," explored Luke 2:15-20.  Through this passage, we looked at 5 ways people responded to the announcement of Jesus' birth.

The first way is they responded by investigating what they heard.  They approached the task with faith, obedience, and anticipation.  They believed that they had heard a word from the Lord.  They responded to the call to go and see.  They anticipated finding what they went after.

Once they saw the child they began spreading the news.  They told everyone they came into contact with about what the angel had told them.  It appears that there was an immediate and hurried response to this message on the part of the shepherds.

The people responded with amazement.  It was an exciting story, and the people found it interesting.  However, they really didn't give it much thought.  On they day the heard it, it was news.  The next day, they moved on the other news.

Luke contrasts Mary's response to that of the crowd.  She responds by meditating on the events.  She played them over and over again in her mind.  She held on to them, trying to fit the pieces together.

Finally, we return to the shepherds. Upon finishing their investigation and reporting, they returned home giving glory to God and praising him.

These are just some of the ways people respond to the message of God.  They are all worthy of imitation if they drive us to trust the Lord.  Once we have heard the message, a response is required.  Approach that response with faith, obedience, and anticipation.

Evening:  We sought to answer the question: "Why did Jesus come?".  We looked at Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20; and Mark 10:45.  There are clues in the birth narratives that help us to understand why Jesus came into the world.  We see in Matthew that the biggest clue is in the name Jesus.  He was to be named Jesus (Yahweh saves) "because he will save his people from their sins."  This teaches us that Jesus came into the world to save (rescue/forgive) people of their sins (dispositions against God/wrong actions).

He is Immanuel--God with us.  Jesus reveals God to us.  He also makes it possible for us to enter into the presence of the Lord.

He is the King of the Jews, who is the Christ.  Jesus sits upon the throne of David who will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

The summation of his ministry is found in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many."

 

Seasonal Anxiety Disorder

Do the gray winter skies have you feeling blue?  Here is a helpful clip for dealing with seasonal anxiety disorder. 


Are you SAD? from Puritan Reformed on Vimeo.

Thursday Humor: Daren Streblow "Santa Claus"

Here is a little Christmas humor.  Hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: What Does the Opening of the Lord's Prayer Teach Us?

Last week, we continued our look at prayer by asking the question, "How Do We Learn to Pray?".  You can read that post here.  Scripture teaches us to pray, especially through the Lord's Prayer.  This week, we begin to look at the Lord's Prayer by asking, "What does the opening of the Lord's Prayer teach us?".

What does the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, "Our Father, who is in heaven," teaches us to draw near to God, with holy reverence and confidence, as children to the father, able and read to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.  The Lord's Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13.  Jesus reminded us, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to the those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13).  Paul said, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoptions as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Rom. 8:15).  Acts 12:5 says, "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church."  First Timothy 2:1-2 states, "First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Summary

The opening of the Lord's Prayer teaches us that we need to approach God as a child approaches their father.  It also teaches us that we need to approach our Father with holy reverence and confidence.  It Farther teaches us that we may (and must) approach him with our cares and concerns for others.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord's Prayer?"

Sunday Recap 12-12-10

Morning:  The sermon, "A Savior Was Born," looked at Luke 2:8-14.  In this passage, angels appear to shepherds during their night watch, and reveal good news of great joy. 

The shepherds respond to this heavenly visit in fear.  In fact, the angel's first words are, "Do not be afraid."  Why were the shepherds afraid?  Were they simply startled, shocked by the late night visit? No, they "feared a great fear."  They were afraid because the fear of the Lord shown around them.  They were in the presence of the holy, and they were terrified.

The angel's words are meant to calm their fear.  The angel explains that they don't need to fear because a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord.  They didn't need to fear any longer, because God's solution to their unholiness had finally arrived.  They would be delivered from their sin, and be brought into fellowship with God.  Peace had come to them in the form of a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth.

The Savior is Christ the Lord.  What does Christ mean?  Like the Hebrew term Messiah, the Greek term Christ means Anointed.  In the Old Testament, there were three offices for which people were anointed: prophet, priest, and king.  Jesus was anointed a prophet. He spoke the Word of God.  Jesus was anointed a priest.  He sacrificed himself for the sins of the world.  He was anointed as a king.  Jesus claimed the throne of David.

The host of angels that appear after the proclamation of Jesus' birth demonstrate the right response to the news.  The right response is to glorify God.  God should be given the highest honor, because he has brought man peace in the person of Christ.  This holiday season, we need to remember we don't have to be afraid, because Savior was born.

Evening:  no services.

ICE, ICE Baby

We went with a group from church to explore the Opryland's Winter Wonderland, ICE!  This year's theme was Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.  It was based on the characters from the classic T. V. special.  It was kind of cool (pun intended) walking through the tent full of ice sculptures.  The ice slides were pretty fast, and Sophia had a blast.  After walking through the ICE displays, we went outside to take part in the Snow! Basically, they made fake snow for the kids to play in (but not throw at each other).  The Snow! wasn't as cool as ICE.  Delia, Sophia, and I came home and watched Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.


Sophia, Queen of the Ice Slide.

What is that penguin doing here?

The rule breaker.