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Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done |
2005-12-29 |
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The 7th grade Confirmation kids just completed a unit on the Lord’s Prayer. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus said, “When you pray, pray like this...” and then gave them (and us) the Lord’s Prayer. We studied this prayer given to us by Jesus to learn how to pray. More importantly, we studied this prayer to learn how God wants us to pray.
January 1 brings 2006! Do you ever feel frustrated as you look back on the busy nature of your life and feel that you have passed by some of the most important opportunities afforded you? I do. As I look at what we as a family spent time doing, I am often ashamed of how I have missed opportunities for my children’s spiritual growth. As I grow older, I am more aware of the precious gift of time and how quickly it passes. I long to make the most of these days, yet am often confused about how exactly to do that. How dear are these days of ours! And how dear are our prayers in these uncertain times. Luther’s Catechism enlightens our understanding of the first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer for this new year:
“...Hallowed be thy name...”God's name is certainly holy by itself, but we pray in this petition that we too may keep it holy.
How is God's name kept holy?
God's name is kept holy when his Word is taught in its truth and purity, and we as children of God lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives contrary to God's Word dishonors God's name among us. Keep us from doing this, dear Father in heaven!
“Thy kingdom come...”
What does this mean?
God's kingdom certainly comes by itself even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How does God's kingdom come?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and lead a godly life now on earth and forever in heaven.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...”
God's good and gracious will certainly is done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God's will done?
God's will is done when he breaks and defeats every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which try to prevent us from keeping God's name holy and letting his kingdom come. And God's will is done when he strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and in the faith as long as we live. This is his good and gracious will.
When we pray this prayer we are actually praying that God’s name be kept holy AMONG US, that God’s kingdom might come TO US, and that God’s will might be done AMONG US! We are actually praying for our lives in Christ!
New Year’s is a time for resolutions. As we become more aware of the fleeting nature of time, and look to changes for the future, there can be no better prayer than asking for God to come among us and to do his holy work and will in our lives. This takes effort on our part.
Perhaps you might resolve to make a point of coming to the Adult Education opportunites on Sunday mornings. Generally, Sunday school attendance drops significantly after Christmas. Perhaps your resolution can make Sunday School and worship a regular priority for your week. Maybe taking advantage of a current Bible Study or working to get another group going at a convenient time might help in our resolution keeping. The possibilities are endless.
May God strengthen and keep us firm in his Word and in the faith throughout each day of this new year!
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Summer: starting Memorial Day Weekend
9:00 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm
Winter: starting after Labor Day
8:30 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
9:35 am Educational Hour
9:35 am Coffee and Fellowship
10:45 am Worship Service
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm |
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401 South Flynn Drive
Milbank SD 57252
605.432.5566 |
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