Teach Us to PraySample

PRAISE (The Sequel)

The last part of the Lord’s Prayer, which sometimes only shows up in a footnote, teaches us to end like we started, with PRAISE.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

After praying and submitting to God, we might still want to have power and control over our lives. It’s the most human of all things — wanting to be in charge.

This final line of praise helps us remember that we are not God, we are not in charge, we do not have power over the world, and we should not seek our own glory.

Those belong to God and only God.

The kingdom in which we live and breathe and exist is his Kingdom. He is Lord, not us.

The power that rescues us, saves us, and re-creates us into the people he intends us to be is his. He is Almighty, not us.

The glory that displays wonder, awe, perfection, and honor belongs to the Father. He is Majesty, not us.

And yet he loves us, sent his Son to rescue us, calls us his beloved sons and daughters, welcomes us into his family and Kingdom, and fills us with his Spirit.

The Lord’s Prayer doesn’t just show us how to pray. It also shows us who our Father truly is. And by showing us who the Father is, it also shows us who we are — children of God, invited to talk to him anytime, anywhere, knowing that he hears, listens, and loves.

Amen!

REFLECTION

• How do you sometimes try to control your own life instead of trusting God with that?
• Why do you think Jesus taught us to both start and end our prayers by praising God?
• What have you learned about the Father from the Lord’s Prayer? What have you learned about yourself? What have you learned about prayer?

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