Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, February 28
Matthew 6:7-15. Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The Lord’s Prayer has been used throughout the ages and is used throughout the world. When the bishops of the Anglican Communion came together, it was moving to hear people pray the Lord’s Prayer in many different languages. It is the prayer we may have learned first as children. My older sister died with the words of the Lord’s Prayer on her lips.
We need to take time with each word, each phrase of the prayer Jesus taught us, so that its profound meaning becomes clearer.
The first word “Our” speaks of a community which prays. We are never entirely alone when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. “Father” speaks of intimacy—our God is close to us. The word “Father” reflects Jesus’ own loving relationship to God. “Heaven” is not a faraway place. It is where God is. It is God’s home. We know heaven when God’s life touches ours.
Joeli Bulu, a Tongan, was an early missionary in Fiji. One of his recorded sayings is, “I will lotu (pray) that I may live among the stars.” Joeli was praying that he would know the life of heaven. May we know the life of heaven and honor God’s name.
PRAY for the Diocese of Matabeleland (Central Africa)
Ps 1, 2, 3 * 4, 7; Deuteronomy 4:9-14; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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I often sing the Lord's Prayer on my short drive to work, making sure to think about the broad meaning of every phrase as I sing. When I walk into work, I feel the presence of God along with me, even though I never hit the note right when I sing the word forever.