Reflections (OUR Father)

Perhaps the most meaningful word in what we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer", is the word our.
In Matthew 6 Jesus is teaching his disciples about living in righteousness, giving, and prayer.  Jesus instructs the disciples to not pray for show but to close the door and pray to the Father.
He then teaches a model prayer.  This is how you should pray: "Our Father..." (Matthew 6:13)
We find Luke's account of the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11.  The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray after the manner in which John taught his disciples to pray.  Jesus tells them to begin their prayer with "Our Father..." (Luke 11:2-4)
Why is "our" so important?
The first Twelve are the ones receiving the teaching.
Jesus stands with them.  You pray "our"...
Our, is inclusive of the disciples and Jesus.  They pray the same.  They pray together.
The Lord's Prayer is corporate in nature.  (It is not like the previous prayer in Matthew where the individual is taught to go into the room and shut the door.)
Consider this.  The "Our" of the Lord's Prayer includes, not only the original Twelve, but all who come after them.
This morning I was using a daily devotion that has an element showing the number of people on that devotion at one time.  This morning there were 206 people praying at the same time.  "Our Father..."
Prayer is not limited to solitary prayers.  Prayer is inclusive.  Our...Father.
Take it a step further.
Jesus taught the disciples  to pray by saying "Our...Father..."
Is Jesus teaching us (modern day disciples) to pray "Our Father...?"
This implies that we are praying with Jesus to OUR Father.
Even better, Jesus is (take comfort in knowing your prayers are heard, not because your words are so great, but because you are praying in relationship with Jesus.)
I encourage you to know you are never alone.  You and Jesus have the same Father.
I encourage you to come with confidence to God's throne because you come with Jesus. (Hebrews 4:6)
Today we take time to worship, read the scriptures, and pray.
We pray with one another.  We pray with Jesus.
Our Father, who art in heaven.
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy 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.
This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
steve