Just One out of Seven!

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"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together" (Psa 34:3)

The central portion of the Sermon on Prayer is the Lord's Prayer.

"Unity in Diversity" is the thread of Indian culture. "Unity is Prosperity" has been our slogan. In the Tamil language, your lips touch each other only when you say "we" and not "I." This selfless attitude for striving towards a common welfare remains the basic concept of our Lord's Prayer.

Mt 6:9-13, "Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen."

Can there be a better prayer? Articulated by the Master in Prayer who had known the Father's mind perfectly! Since this prayer passes through the lips with mechanical repetition in Churches which follow liturgical worship, others have totally avoided this Prayer. Is disuse the remedy for misuse? Saying this Prayer in family devotions is enriching. This Prayer is sometimes called the Family Prayer. This Prayer sets the priorities in order. First, His Name, His Kingdom and His Will. Next, our physical needs and interpersonal relationships. Thirdly, we are to pray regularly to overcome temptation. The flesh is weak though the spirit is willing.

This prayer is filled with "our," "us" and "we." There is no first person singular, "I", in this prayer at all. Of the seven petitions in this Prayer, there is only one pertaining to the needs of our body—"our daily bread!" All the others refer to things eternal. See how our priorities have changed! Meditate on each one of these seven requests on your knees. Fit your needs and longings appropriately into each of these petitions. Your prayer life will be balanced and blooming.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu ... Alleluia!

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word—
That proceeds out of the mouth of God; Allelu ... Alleluia!

Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find;
Knock and it shall be opened unto you; Allelu ... Alleluia!


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