Luke 11 tells us of the time that after Jesus had finished praying one of the disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” Jesus graciously obliged, taking the opportunity to give the 12 – and us – what Christians have historically called “The Lord’s Prayer,” because it came from the Lord Himself.
I don’t know about you, but I need help in prayer, particularly today as we join other believers in America to pray for the arguments that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning whether all states must recognize same-sex marriage.
While it is certainly right to pray The Lord’s Prayer verbatim, its petitions also serve as a blueprint to frame all our prayers.
With that in mind, here are some short reflections to guide you through using the Lord’s Prayer in praying about the court case whose impact and scope has been compared to the1973 Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand.
Please, add your prayers and your insights in the comments section.
1) Our Father who art in heaven.
As a child brings his needs to his earthly father, we come to You in faith, confidence, and thankfulness that You will hear our prayers and act on them according to Your will.
2) Hallowed be Your name.
As we bring this matter to your gracious throne, we pray that ultimately your glory will be seen in the disposition of this case.
3) Your kingdom come.
Though we may not understand how, we pray that Your kingdom of grace may be advanced even if the court decision should go against your law. And in the process may Satan’s kingdom be destroyed.
4) Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In the hours, days and weeks to come, as we hear reports about the Supreme Court proceeding and learn of the judges’ final decision, may we continue to trust and submit to You in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
5) Give us this day our daily bread.
Let us continue to bless Your name for the grace freely given to us in Christ. May He be the food that nourishes our souls, and may we enjoy His blessings even in the midst of life’s trials and disappointments.
6) Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Should the court’s decision go against Your revealed will concerning marriage, may we continue to pray for and forgive those who have damaged our nation and society, for we remember our own sin and what a great ransom Christ paid for our redemption.
7) Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Keep us from the temptation to bitterness, cynicism, faithlessness, arrogance, self-righteousness and putting our hope in anything or anyone but Jesus Christ.
8) For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
We acknowledge that You are the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and King of all history. You are the sole Sovereign of the Universe and the only One worthy of praise. We humbly bring our prayers to You in the assurance that they will be heard in accordance to your will. Therefore, we express our agreement with your will by saying “Amen.”
