Some time ago while my daughter was attending a youth fellowship group, one of the “leaders” asked the children if any knew the Lord’s Prayer. When my daughters turn came round she recited,
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, for thine is the Kingdom, the power, the glory, forever, Amen”
The “leader” said she did very well, all but the bit she added at the end. My daughter then started to ask as to what she had added but before she could finish she was told he referred to the comments concerning Jesus Christ then before she could explain herself, she was silenced and lightly rebuked before the other children.
After watching this incident, I spoke to the “leader” and said my daughter had in fact recited the prayer in accordance with all the Word of God as the scriptures state whatever we do in word or deed we must always do in the name of Jesus Christ and this would include the Lord’s Prayer.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17
The “leader” however insisted he was correct and that we should all say the Lord’s Prayer exactly as Christ Himself said it in the scriptures
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13
“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. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4And 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.” Luke 11:2-4
I have raised this point not to debate the linguistics such as the word “debts” compared to “trespasses” or other similar discrepancies concerning various translations that ultimately say the same thing, as I believe only the devil would cause us to dispute amongst ourselves such trivia, unless the variation causes a change to the actual meaning or message. I say this because such debate only distracts away from contemplating the prayer itself and causes confusion, division and dissention, none of which are of God.
My point is simply that the scriptures tell us that the only way to the Father is through the Son and that we are to pray all things through the name of Jesus Christ to whom all power and authority was given, yet many ignore this when it comes to the Lord’s Prayer.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
My question to any that should read this is what is your opinion, is the Lords Prayer not subject to the rest of the scriptures and therefore not to be prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. Alternatively, must every Word of God be applied in every situation, including when we pray the Lord’s Prayer?
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:19-20
