Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 14, Number 20, DeMotte, Jasper County, 31 March 1944 — THE PASTOR’S COLUMN [ARTICLE]

THE PASTOR’S COLUMN

by REV. GEO. GOTSCH

Pastor of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Union Township

In the following weeks we shall meditate on the Lord’s prayer. It is the Prayer of prayers, the most exellent, the one and only complete prayer. The Lord Jesus Himself taught it. Anything and everything you can and should pray for, is contained in one or more petitions. It is the only prayer suitable for any and all conditions and occasions. We pray it in church and in the family circle, in public and in private, in the regular service, at weddings and at funerals. It fits in everywhere. This we can say of no other prayer. We divide it into the introduction or address, seven petitions, each of which is a complete prayer in itself, and in the conclusion or doxology. Sunday we shall consider the introduction, or address, “Our Father who art in heaven.” We address our prayer to our Father. In and through our Savior He is our true Father. He tenderly invites us so to call Him. We, therefore, are his true children, as St. Paul writes, Gal. 3:26, “Ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father, and we are by adoption His children. Therefore we may with all boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father. We add, “Who art in heaven.” This does not mean that God is enclosed in that place we call heaven, that He is far from us and out of reach, but as heaven is above all things, so God is above all His creatures, watching over them and caring for them. Knowing that He alone is able and willing to hear our prayer, this also makes us bold and confident to come to Him in prayer. We say, “Our Father,” why not “My Father?” The believers in Christ all over creation are my spiritual brethern and sisters who are united with me in faith. Therefore we pray with one another and for one another. May God put His blessings on these meditations and teach us to understand and —this Prayer of prayers better and b(Kter. Let us pray it every day and more than once a day. Sunday School at 10:00, service at 10:45 a. m. Voters’ Assembly on Monday of next week at 8:00 p. m.