Understanding Liturgy #12

THE LORD'S PRAYER

OUR TABLE GRACE

Why do we pray the Lord's Prayer in every worship service? The Lord's Prayer is the prayer of God's people, given to us by Jesus himself. Our heavenly Father dearly wants us to call on him, like children approach their father with tenderness and expectation.

As a template for prayer, the Lord's Prayer teaches us what we need to pray for. It also reminds us of the fact that we are called to intercede as part of our calling as God's 'royal priesthood.' (I Peter 2:9)

Why do we pray the Lord's Prayer in connection with the celebration of Holy Communion? For many centuries Christians have seen a connection between the Fourth Petition of the Lord's Prayer and the Sacrament of the Altar. In it we pray, 'Give us today our daily bread.' We acknowledge God as the giver of all good gifts, and the one who sustains us. We remember the psalmist's words: 'The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.' (Psalm 145:15,16)

Prayed during the communion liturgy, this petition points to the gracious gift of this bread and wine, set apart for God's purpose and made for us the body and blood of Christ through God's powerful word. This is nothing other than the bread of heaven. We receive what we pray for in the Lord's Prayer:

Hallowed be your name
God's name is made holy as we praise him and receive the holy body and blood of Jesus.

Give us this day our daily bread
We receive the bread of life to sustain us in body and soul to life eternal.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
God forgives our sins and gives us the strength to forgive others.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
We are linked with Jesus and his victory over sin and death, which gives us strength and hope.

Pastor Andrew Brook