Our Fatherنموونە

RESTORATION

Jesus concludes this teaching on how to pray by drawing our attention to the human condition, our frailty and the presence of evil. Yet, in the midst it all we have a Father who is able to deliver us. As a part of our daily rhythm, this prayer reminds us that despite our weakness, we can call on God to lead us on the path to restoration.

While this part of the Lord’s Prayer is tricky to interpret (much debated), it offers us a challenge. What voices are we listening to? What are we tempted to follow? Are we leaning towards finding an easy way out? Maybe it could be a path that leads to power and influence, or to money. Does it cause us to drift away from the mission God has called us to? We make compromises and, in the process, we lose our way. So, Jesus invites us to pause and seek help from our Father and King. It is in our reliance on God that we find our way to restoration.

Prayer Points:

• There are many voices and influences on the children and young people within our communities. Pray for their protection. Pray that they will be secure in the knowledge of God’s love for them. You might like to pray together for ideas on how you can help them to develop a firm foundation of faith that will last them their whole lives through.

Summary:

As we pay attention to the news that floods our airwaves and media channels, do we see reflected here the same challenges the disciples faced? Do these modern-day issues not mirror the very things that Jesus taught his followers to be prayerful of, as they sat listening to him on that hillside? Then, as now, they faced the corruption of broken relationships, resulting in anger, hypocrisy, retaliation, seeking other people’s approval, and much more. Jesus offers this prayer to them and to us, to help us to seek God’s kingdom in the realities of our everyday lives.

Furthermore, the Sermon on the Mount concludes with the encouragement that one day we will see Jesus face to face. Then, all that will matter is to know him and to be known by him. Restoration will be complete. We will be in the presence of God, the very one to whom we come to in prayer, "our Father."

As we conclude this plan, pray the Lord’s Prayer. Reflect on the prayer needs that have arisen from this time. Write these down so you can return to them later and give thanks for what God will do.

May our “hallowing” him and our dependence on him play out in the symphony of our hearts, as we absorb it into our rhythm of life.

If you have enjoyed participating in this reading plan from Scripture Union International, you can find out more about us and the work we do with children, young people and families in 120 nations around the world: http://www.scriptureunion.global/welcome