The Lord's Prayer
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of May 25, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 6:9-13 New Living Translation
9Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us today the food we need,
12and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Compare with Matthew 6:9-13 New International Version
9"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Compare with Matthew 6:9-13 MOT (Pastor Chris’ Translation)
9Therefore, pray thus: Our Father, the One in the heavens; holy (hallowed) shall be your name. 10Let your Kingdom come; let your will come about as in heaven, also on earth. 11Give us today our bread for today and for the coming day. 12And forgive us the debts (sins, wrongs) of us as we also forgave our debtors (those who have sinned against us or wronged us.) 13And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Forgiveness is a challenging matter. I find it so much easier to “get even” or to hold a grudge than to forgive when I am wronged. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may truly forgive, even as You have first forgiven me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
12and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
Matthew 6:12 NLT
Does this mean that God will not forgive us if we don’t forgive others? Why or why not?
Why would Jesus include this when He knew that He was going to die to pay the penalty for our sins?
Today’s Challenge: I will live as a “forgiven forgiver” today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that Jesus was talking about forgiving our sins in the Lord’s Prayer, but the NIV reminds me that every sin is a debt to You. Even one sin brings a debt into my life that I can never repay. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay my debts—the penalty for my sins. Thank You for providing salvation through Him. This I pray in His powerful and precious name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 NIV
Why do you suppose that the NIV uses the word “debts” instead of “sins”?
What difference does using the word “debts” instead of “sins” make in what we are being called to do, and what we are asking God to do?
Today’s Challenge: I will live as one whose debts have been cancelled and whose calling is to forgive the debts of others!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus speaks of our forgiveness of others as having already happened. I pray that You will empower me to forgive those who offend me quickly. I pray that I will not bring to remembrance those sins that I have forgiven, and I pray that You will do the same for me! This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
12And forgive us the debts (sins, wrongs) of us as we also forgave our debtors (those who have sinned against us or wronged us.) Matthew 6:12 MOT
What is the significance of the differences in this translation and the NLT and NIV?
What one action will you take to live out this petition in your life today?
Today’s Challenge: I will forgive quickly so that the debts, sins, and wrongs of others carried out against me will be quickly in the past!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You are a loving God, and that Your love is unconditional. I also see from Jesus’ own words that You expect me to live out the same kind of unconditional love toward others. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit right now that I will be able to do just that! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
14“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
What is the consequence of unforgiveness in our lives?
What will you do to avoid this consequence in your life today?
Today’s Challenge: I will forgive others, in order that my relationship with God will not be hindered in any way!