Mt 6:7-15
The Lord’s Prayer: Jesus insists in this passage that authentic prayer does not consist of a multitude of words nor does it attempt to force God into acting, since God already knows what the pray-er needs before he or she asks.
The Lord’s Prayer: Jesus insists in this passage that authentic prayer does not consist of a multitude of words nor does it attempt to force God into acting, since God already knows what the pray-er needs before he or she asks.
The typical way a Christian prays is related by Matthew in the Lord’s Prayer. It is a liturgical version, which was probably being used in his community. The prayer is addressed to “Our Father in heaven,” and it is typical of other invocations used in many Jewish prayers.
Authentic pray-ers petition God to bring about the fullness of his kingdom and that his will, which is already done in heaven, may be done on earth. Righteousness involves behaving as God wills.
“Give us today our daily bread” is another petition for the fulfillment of the kingdom. Christians await the completion of the kingdom on a daily basis.
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The forgiveness that is petitioned is reciprocal and unconditional. Matthew is concerned with not breaking the bond of his community. He sees great virtue in keeping the community together. By mutual forgiveness between people and God and people and people this can be accomplished.