It has long intrigues me that Jesus often began his prayers with the words,

"My Father, if it be possible ..."  Matthew 26:39  Or on another occasion,

"My Father, if this cup cannot pass ... "  Matthew 26:42. 

 

Yet, when his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, He said, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven"  Matthew 6:9.

 

I think there is a good reason for the change in the use of the pronouns in these two prayers,  For Jesus knew that prayer brought us not only into a close relationship with God and our own deeper selves, but it also gave us a sense of our relationships with one another.  God knows what we need.  We need to be aware of the needs of our neighbors and others in this world, for we are all children of God.  He is our Father and we are His children and we belong to one another in Christ.

 

I find this thought very helpful, especially here at People's City Mission where many of our guests are homeless and don't think of themselves as part of a family .. least of all a family where we are bound together by the love of Christ ... and where we care for one another and pray for one another saying, "Our Father who art in heaven ... "

 

 

Barbara B. McCall J.D.

Director of Donor Development

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110 Q Street

Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

phone: 402 475-1303

 

Distribution Center

2101 N Street       Furniture Pick-up 475-6892

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