Crawl Before you Walk

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]

but deliver us from the evil one.[b]

Our little grandson, Leo, recently learned to walk. First he crawled, then, ever so slowly, he pulled up on the sofa. He stood straight up, looked around proudly, and promptly plopped right back down. But he didn't give up. He kept at it, and soon he took those first toddling steps, falling into his mom and dad's arms. A week or two later, he was running. And he's not looking back!

Today's scripture focuses on what Christians refer to as the Lord's Prayer. It is part of Jesus' talk that we call the Sermon on the Mount. Hundreds and hundreds of his followers, and others who were curious about this radical Rabbi they'd heard so much about, have gathered on a hillside. He is opening scripture to them in new ways, challenging the status quo. It's not enough to follow the letter of the law - Jesus wants your heart. He's not interested in flowery phrases - he wants a relationship with you.

The Lord's Prayer is a simple prayer, but it contains all you need to get started in your relationship with God. And if you've been a Christian a long time, it's a great way to refresh that connection.

First you worship God and acknowledge that he is preeminent (vs. 9-10).

Second, you ask him for your daily needs - and you acknowledge that all you have comes from him (v. 11)

Third, focus on your need for forgiveness (v. 12).

And last, you ask for God's protection from temptation (v. 13).

Pray the Lords Prayer. But don't stop there! And when you fail - and you will - God will be right there to catch you. Growing in our faith, just like learning to walk, takes time. We'll fall more than we will succeed in the beginning. Thanks be to God that he forgives, and gives second, third - and many more - chances.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)