Greatest Prayer

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:7-15)

John Dominic Crossan calls this prayer “The Greatest Prayer.”  He calls it a revolutionary message.  “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” is just one important part of the prayer.  The “tempter” – Satan – offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world meaning the violent world of civilization.  This was not the “world that God so loved.” It was the world containing only “the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride in riches.”  

According to Crossan, “To obtain and possess the kingdoms of the world, with their power and glory, by violent injustice is to worship Satan.  To obtain and possess the kingdom, the power, and the glory by nonviolent justice is to worship God.”

The choice is ours.  Who do we worship?  Every time we pray this “greatest prayer” let’s honestly answer this question.

Deacon David Pierce