January 26, 2012 – The Lord’s Prayer
In the sermon on the mount Jesus gives some training on prayer, then he teaches us how to pray with His model known as the Lord’s Prayer. There is much we can learn from this instruction and model for praying in our families.
Jesus redefines our Relationship with God
Abba Father
When Jesus instructs His disciples on how to pray he opens by saying “Our Father”. He uses the word Abba, which has the connotation of ‘Daddy’. It is a term of closeness – Father to Son. This is the God we have always known, but for the original disciples it redefined who God is in relationship to His people. Before Jesus, there was great fear in speaking the name of God.
Here is a short clip from Monty Python that humorously shows us the fear that went into God’s name.
A word about the Families in Faith Web Page.
Families in Faith is a Free email resource. We will send an email every week offering tips, suggestions, training, and encouragement to parents as they work to pass the faith on to their children.
Please share this email with others. You can also encourage others to sign up for Families in Faith online by having them text the word “families” to 22828, or click the envelope on the upper rh side of this page, or go to www.poplc.org/familiesinfaith.
Web links for further training:
The Lord’s Prayer for Children
Created by Dr. Joel Dietrich
Minister to Families and Children
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
8304 Old Keene Mill Rd – Springfield, VA 22152