is today. I wanted to post The Lord’s Prayer in The Message translation because it takes words we may have memorized by rote and makes them fresh:
7-13“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.14-15“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.
Matthew 6:9-14
Perhaps you’d like to visit the site for more details happening on this day. May your life be full of blessings.
Yes, my friend, I believe that God knows us and our needs better than we ourselves could know. One old illustration I remember about this is like the relationship of a manufacturer and a consumer. Though it is the consumer who ultimately makes use of a machine or a certain appliance, it would still be wise to listen to the instructions given by the manufacturer on how to care for it. So since I believe that we are God's creatures, I believe that he knows what's best for us 🙂
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Mark David, that's a wonderful analogy! I love how clearly that explains why following it's wise to listen to Him.
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What a wonderful translation of a verse that many of us have recited hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the years.
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Kathleen, I know! I personally love the Psalms in the King James translation the best, but reading in other translations brings a fresh perspective to familiar words.We had a foreign exchange student from Germany three or four years ago, and he loved the Message. I had to send him home with a copy because it was hard for him to find in Solingen.
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This is lovely, Bellezza. My husband went to a prayer breakfast earlier today.
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What an interesting interpretation of a prayer we sometimes don't hear because it's so familiar. I confess I'm not fond of the reference to "three square meals" as I understand daily bread to be far more inclusive than physical food, but otherwise – very nice, and very appropriate.
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I'm always afraid that the religious observances I like to make will be taken away someday…in the name of equality for all. I'm certain that one day soon Good Friday will no longer be a holiday from school, and there already was a ruling that The National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. But, as long as we can recognize it, I'll consider myself fortunate; it's good your husband had a prayer breakfast.
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I thought 'three square meals' a bit odd, myself, Linda. As you do, I see "Give us our day this daily bread" as a lot more than bread. I see it as "sustain us", just as you wrote in your beautiful post on Jarvis' paradigm.
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The best definition I've ever heard for prayer is this: "Prayer is being yourself before God." — Thomas Hart
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What a great translation – yes yes yes!!! I love the ending.. its so affirming. I thank you for giving me inspiration for Mothers Day (today in Australian) – My mother will love this little gift.
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I've just thought of this and had to say it – the prayer says, "give us this day our DAILY bread". It doesn't ask for a month's worth, or a year's. The point is trust that needs will be supplied, not hoarding!
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