Prayer, in some ways, is such a simple act and expression of faith. On the other hand, prayer—meaningful and genuine prayer—can be one of the hardest things for me as a Christian to engage on a daily basis. On top of that, remember Jesus’ words, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest fi eld” (Matthew 9:37- 38). There is such a privilege in these words as Jesus invites us to participate with Him in the harvest of souls. The privilege, however, carries a responsibility. He links the raising up of harvest workers with our faithfulness in prayer. It is a responsibility for which most of the time I feel so inadequate. Who are we that Jesus links the harvest of souls to our prayers? I am, after all, someone who also can echo Bernie’s sentiments, “My prayers are cheap and shallow.” Jesus, however, understands and knows us very well. He knows how inadequate we can feel. So He teaches us how to pray by offering us “The Disciples’ Prayer.” It goes like this: 

 “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.” 

Many refer to it as The Lord’s Prayer, but I like to think of it as The Family Prayer because He gave it to us for our encouragement and to teach us how we are to approach Him in prayer. Dr. Martin Luther expressed it this way:
“Furthermore, we should be encouraged and drawn to pray because, in addition to this commandment and promise, God takes the initiative and puts into our mouths the very words and approach we are to use. In this way we see how deeply concerned he is about our needs, and we should never doubt that such prayer pleases him and will assuredly be heard. So this prayer is far superior to all others that we might devise ourselves. For in that case our conscience would always be in doubt, saying, ‘I have prayed, but who knows whether it pleases him or whether I have hit upon the right form and mode?’ Thus there is no nobler prayer to be found on earth, for it has the powerful testimony that God loves to hear it. This we should not trade for all the riches in the world (Book of Concord, The Large Catechism, The Lord’s Prayer, p. 553.22-23).
Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish