April 22, 2016
The Lord’s Prayer — “Thy kingdom come.”

“What does this mean?–Answer.
The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.

How is this done?–Answer.
When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.” ( Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Small Catechism)

“For the coming of God’s Kingdom to us occurs in two ways; first, here in time through the Word and faith; and secondly, in eternity forever through revelation. Now we pray for both these things, that it may come to those who are not yet in it, and, by daily increase, to us who have received the same, and hereafter in eternal life.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Large Catechism)

Luther is very clear that the kingdom of G-d comes in two ways: through the Word of G-d and Faith, the relationship of which has been spoken to in the third article of the Apostle’s Creed – and through revelation, or how the kingdom, how the presence of G-d is revealed to us on the earth. To pray “Thy Kingdom Come” is to pray that we look for the kingdom of G-d to come soon – either speedily or in time. The more that we honor the name of G-d, and honor G-d through the teachings of Jesus, the more speedily the kingdom of G-d might come. The problem for the followers of Jesus, they would have seen the kingdom of G-d arrived in Jesus, as they came to see him as the Messiah. So, we could say that they, like us, would pray for Jesus to return speedily after the ascension.

Of course, as Luther teaches in the Small Catechism, the kingdom of G-d comes whether we pray for it to come or not. So, we might pray that, while the kingdom of G-d comes no matter if we pray for it or not, we might pray that the kingdom might come to us, and through us.

Pastor Dave

April 21, 2016
The Lord’s Prayer — “Hallowed be Thy name.”

What does this mean?–Answer.
God’s name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also.

“How is this done?–Answer.
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches and profanes the name of God among us.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Small Catechism)

“Here now the great need exists for which we ought to be most concerned, that this name have its proper honor, be esteemed holy and sublime as the greatest treasure and sanctuary that we have; and that as godly children we pray that the name of God, which is already holy in heaven, may also be and remain holy with us upon earth and in all the world.  But how does it become holy among us? Answer, as plainly as it can be said: When both our doctrine and life are godly and Christian. For since in this prayer we call God our Father, it is our duty always to deport and demean ourselves as godly children, that He may not receive shame, but honor and praise from us.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Large Catechism)

We are to honor the name of G-d. It is our Second Commandment – the name of the Lord deserves honor – all of our efforts to keep it Holy. So, if we have a high regard for someone, someone we hold in “honor”, when we are considering something like a decision, or a problem, we might turn to this person to consult them. We might say, “Now I wonder what so-and-so would think about this?” or, “I wonder what so-and-so would advise me to do in this situation?” This is how we honor them and this is how we should honor our Father in heaven. As we come to ponder our problems, and to make critical decisions, we should ask, “I wonder what the Lord G-d might counsel me about this?” “Is there some plain teaching, some instruction, a principle or a warning in the scriptures that would apply to this situation?” This is how we honor G-d and hold high G-d’s name; it involves love, respect and, above all, a longing to please G-d in all that we do and say.

Pastor Dave