Luke 11 Pentecost 9 Lord's Prayer 2007
9th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
July 29
Luke 11:1-13
"The Lord’s Prayer"
The Lord’s Prayer Dramatization (By Clyde Lee Herring)
"(Jesus)He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray.
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen
This morning we will reflect upon the words that many of us have come to treasure and use to pray to God. Of course what I am referring to has come to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” As precious as this prayer is, unfortunately it is often prayed without real consideration of what the words mean. To help us this morning, I am going to try an experiment. We will attempt to dramatize the Lord’s prayer, and hopefully come to understand it better. The play that we will act out has two characters, God and you. The play begins as you begin the Lord’s prayer.
Congregation: Our Father who art in Heaven...
’Yes?’
Congregation: Don’t interrupt me. I’m Praying...
’But you called Me.’
Congregation: Called you? I didn’t call you. I’m praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.
’There, you did it again.’
Congregation: Did what?
’Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven..." Here I am. What’s on your mind?’
Congregation: But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord’s Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.
’All right. Go on.’
Congregation: Hallowed be Thy name.
’Hold it. What do you mean by that?’
Congregation: By what?
’By "Hallowed be Thy name."’
Congregation: It means.... it means.... good grief, I don’t know what it means. How should I know? It’s just part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
’It means "honored," "Holy," "Wonderful."’
Congregation: Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "Hallowed" meant before. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
’Do you really mean that?’
Congregation: Sure, why not?
’What are you going to do about it?’
Congregation: Do? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.
’Have I got control of you?’
Congregation: Well, I go to church.
’That isn’t what I asked you. What about those sinful habits you have? I heard you talking about some people in a not so special way. And your bad temper? You’ve really got a problem there, you know. And then there’s the way you spend your money, how you spend your time. You know I am not just in church. I am with you everyday, and every hour of your life. Do you always act as if I am there?
Congregation: Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those phonies in church.
’Excuse me....I thought you were praying for My will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.’
Congregation: Oh all right! I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
’So could I.’
Congregation: I haven’t thought about it until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I’d like to, you know, be free. I want to be forgiven.
’Good, now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together.... you and I. I’m proud of you.’
Congregation: Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does....Give us this day our daily bread.
’You need to cut down on the bread too... You’re overweight as it is.’
Congregation: Hey, Wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize Me Day?" Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden You break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
’Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That’s what I’m trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It’s too late to stop now. Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part of your prayer.......Well, Go on.’
Congregation: I’m scared to.
’Scared? Of what?’
Congregation: I know what you’ll say.
’Try Me and see.’
Congregation: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
’What about Sally?’
Congregation: See I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why she’s told lies about me, cheated me out of money. She never paid back that debt she owes me. I’ve sworn to get even.
’But your prayer.....What about your prayer?’
Congregation: I didn’t mean it.
’Well, at least you’re honest. But it’s not much fun carrying the load of bitterness around inside is it?’
Congregation: No, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I made some plans for ol’ Sally! She’ll wish she never did me any harm.
’You won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse. Revenge isn’t sweet. Think of how unhappy you are already. But I can change all that.’
Congregation: You can? How?
’Forgive Sally as I have forgiven you. Then I’ll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Sally’s problem and not yours. You may lose the money, but you will settle your heart.’
Congregation: But Lord, I can’t forgive Sally.
’That is a problem. You see, the whole reason you can come to me with this prayer is because I sent my Son to forgive you. He came into the world to die for your sins, so you are forgiven. Do you understand that you have sinned
Congregation: Yes, Lord, I have sinned.
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and suffered death as your punishement for sin?
Congregation: Yes Lord, I believe Jesus did this for me.
Did you deserve or do you think you deserve this graceful gift that I have given you.
Congregation: No Lord, you know that.
Then, as I have forgiven you, forgive Sally, even though she may not deserve it, show her the love that you have been shown. This is all that I ask’.
Congregation: Oh, you’re right! You always are. And more than I want revenge on Sally, I want to be right with You. All right! I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She’s bound to be awfully miserable, now that I think about it. Some way, some how, show her the right way.
’There now! How do you feel?’
Congregation: Hmmm....not bad. Not bad at all, In fact I feel pretty great. You know, I don’t think I’ll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can’t remember. Maybe I won’t be so tired from now on because I’m not getting enough rest.
’You’re not through with your prayer....Go on.’
Congregation: Oh, alright.....And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
’Good...good. I’ll do that. Just don’t put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.’
Congregation: What do you mean by that?
’Quit hanging around the wrong places, watching inappropriate movies and television, listening to sinful conversations; getting into compromising situations. Change some of your friendships. Some of your so-called friends are beginning to get to you. They’ll have you completely involved in wrong things before long. Don’t be fooled. They advertise they’re having fun, but for you it would be ruin. Don’t use me for an escape hatch.’
Congregation: I don’t understand.
’Sure you do. You’ve done it lots of times. You get caught in a bad situation, you get into trouble and then you come running to me. "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I’ll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?’
Congregation: Yes, and I’m ashamed, Lord. I really am.
’Which bargains are you remembering?’
Congregation: Well, when I got stuck on the highway one dark and rainy night. I swore to you that if you got me out of that mess I would go to church every Sunday.
’So, you got out of it didn’t you, and did you keep your promise?
Congregation: I’m sorry Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought if I just prayed the Lord’s prayer everyday, then I could do what I liked. I forgot my promise to you.
’I forgive you for that too. Remember, no matter what, I will keep my promises to you. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.’
Congregation: Oh yes...For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
’Do you know what would bring me glory? What would make me really happy?’
Congregation: No, but I’d like to know. I want to please You. I can see what a mess I’ve made out of my life, and I can see how great it would be to really be one of Your followers.
’You just answered the question.’
Congregation: I did?
’Yes, the one thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me. And I can see that happening between us.
Congregation: Lord, thank you for listening to me. Thanks you for loving me and sending Jesus my Savior. Let’s see what we can do together.
’Yes, let’s see.......’[i]
Have you ever thought of praying the Lord’s prayer in that light? What would God say or is saying to you as you pray that prayer?
Have you forgiven others of their sins to you? Have you been staying out of places and things that are tempting? Do you trust in God to provide for you as you pray give us this day our daily bread? Do you believe that the kingdom of God is now on this earth and it is coming because of you?
As you pray the Lord’s Prayer do you expect to be changed, forgiven and blessed?
If we truly stop and think about what we are praying for in the Lord’s prayer, it is truly a powerful prayer, a perfect prayer, a prayer that does handle all the aspects of our lives?
And notice that this prayer is not a selfish prayer, it does not pray for your needs alone, but prayers for the needs of all people when ever we pray it. You cannot say the Lord’s prayer, and even once say "I". You cannot pray the Lord’s prayer, and even once say "My". Nor can you pray the Lord’s prayer and not pray for another. For when you ask for daily bread, you must include your brother! For others are included in each and every plea. From the beginning to the end of it. it does not once say "me".
Have you thought about how the Lord’s Prayer is used in our worship service on communion Sundays? Where does it come in? How is it used? The Lord’s Prayer is prayed just before we come to communion as a meal prayer. It is said before communion as we would pray a prayer of grace before we sit down to eat. It is the most perfect meal prayer, grace prayer, as it lets us pray for all of life before we eat and drink from the Lord’s table, the perfect table prayer.[ii]
The Lord’s Prayer is an inclusive prayer, a non selfish prayer, a grace prayer, the perfect prayer for us to use to develop our lives with God through Jesus Christ. Amen
----
[i] The Lord’s Prayer Dramatization (By Clyde Lee Herring)
[ii] after Pastor Tim Zingale July 23, 2007