Looking at the Lord's Prayer

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 -- Week of 5 Easter

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 963)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) // 68:1-20(21-23)24-36 (afternoon)
Leviticus 16:20-34
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 6:7-15

Today we read the Lord's Prayer from Matthew's gospel. He situates the prayer right in the center of the Sermon on the Mount. The Lord's Prayer starts like so many Jewish prayers, with an ascription of praise and blessing to God -- "hallowed be your name." Jesus' prays for God's kingdom to come. What would it be like if God were governing rather than, in this case, Caesar? His proclamation of this alternative political rule is part of what got Jesus in trouble with the authorities. Jesus' preaching, action, and even his prayers had political ramifications. What do we think the reign of God would look like in 2006? If God were in charge instead of our current President, Congress and courts, how different might things be? If there are differences, the church should be in the Jesus-business of proclaiming the reign of God. What is it for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?

The rest of the prayer asks God for some of the content of the Kingdom of God. It is a prayer that includes the provision of the daily subsistence needs for all people, their daily bread. The word "daily" means "for tomorrow." It is a prayer of concern for basic human needs and also an expression of hope for the eschatological banquet that Jesus anticipates.

Today more than 20,000 people will die because of extreme poverty. That won't be the headline on CNN. But that's the case. Give us today our daily tsunami. Actually, for the first time in human history, our generation has the means to actualize the Lord's Prayer. We have the resources and technology to eliminate extreme poverty in the world and to allow everyone their daily bread within our lifetime. A concrete and achievable blueprint for doing that is contained in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). All it takes is our willingness.

At the center of Jesus' prayer is a petition for debt relief. First century peasants would have known what Jesus was praying about. In the first half of the first century, a remarkable amount of the property that had formerly belonged to peasant subsistence farmers was systematically grabbed through legal manipulation of the economic system by the wealthy elites. Property increasingly transferred to the wealthy through debt foreclosure. An increasing percentage of the wealth flowed toward those who were already wealthy. Then they used their power to dictate working arrangements that were more favorable to them. Much of their manipulation was made possible through debts. Today in some developing or under-developed countries, enormous portions of their economy goes to debt service. Part of the MDG addresses debt relief as a way to develop global partnerships for development.

Here again, there is a double meaning in Jesus' phrase. In Jewish tradition, debts can also be a metaphor for sin. So the mutual forgiveness of debt is also Jesus' encouragement for our mutual forgiveness of sins. He makes that case more explicitly in verses 14 and 15.

His final phrase feels like an anticipation of the passion. "And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one." There are those situations that can break human beings. It is good to pray about such things. May we be delivered from these situations. If we, like Jesus, must face them, may God's power rescue us. Turning our face daily toward that which we would rather not look at helps us prepare for the day when we may face such terrors. May we do so with an active trust in God's deliverance.

It is a powerful prayer. Many of us pray it daily. It is a prayer with both personal and international scope, it is both intimate and political. In Paul's letter today he encourages his readers to stay awake. May we pray this prayer with awakened intention and consciousness, this day and each day.

Our Father, who art in heaven...

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas