Join us for midweek Bible study during the month of December as we discuss what the Lord’s Prayer teaches us about praying for our most basic needs in life. The study is held Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at the Gooden home.
“Give us, this day, our daily bread”
What it Means
- Assumption: God alone provides
- Distinction: Between needs and wants
- Realm: Labor, stewardship, and charity
- Purpose: A daily disposition of trust
What is Sounds Like
Be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for the body, that we may thereby acknowledge thee to be the only fountain of all good, and that neither our care nor industry, nor even thy gifts, can profit us without thy blessing; and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee.
“Forgive us our debts”
What it Means
- Forgiveness = Resolving an offense
- Ground: Christ’s blood and righteousness
- Means: Repentance and reconciliation
- Challenge: Extending grace toward others
What is Sounds Like
Be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbour.
“Lead us not into temptation”
What it Means
- Assumption: That we are on the narrow path
- Problem: We are presented with daily detours
- Mystery: God sometimes allows us to stray
- Petition: Lord, keep us on the path evermore
What is Sounds Like
Since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment; and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil, the world, and our own flesh, cease not to assault us, do thou therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory.