The Lord Prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR TODAY
A MONTH OF MEDITATIONS
by
Rendel L. Cosand
P.O. Box 349

Pipersville, PA 18947-0349
215-766-8910
Rendel.Cosand@juno.com
Copyright ©2007 Rendel L. Cosand

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Rendel Cosand. I was born and reared in

Damascus, Ohio, about mid-way between Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
I am a graduate of Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan
University), Marion Indiana, with a Bachelor of Theology and Master
of Arts in Theology degrees. Later I received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Howard College (now Samford University),
Birmingham, Alabama. I studied briefly also at Evangelical Lutheran
Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
For approximately fifty years I served as pastor, mostly in the
Evangelical Friends Church, based in Canton, Ohio. I have preached
also in revival meetings and a camp meeting. I served one year as an
instructor at Vennard College, University Park, Iowa. My wife and I
are members of my home church, Damascus Evangelical Friends
Church, Damascus, Ohio.
I have attended several writing seminars or conferences. The
latest was The Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, Ridgecrest,
NC, in April 2000. My articles have been published in “The
Preachers’ Magazine” (Nazarene), “The Wesleyan Advocate”, “The
Evangelical Friend” (now defunct), and “The Fruit of the Vine”
(Evangelical Friends.)
For several years I have done research for and have written
about the Lord’s Prayer. The latest, and hopefully the best, is The
Lord’s Prayer for Today, a Month of Meditations. You will notice
that the Preface was graciously written by D. Randy Berkner, Pastor
of Trevecca Community Church, Nashville TN. I have consulted also
with our friend Carol Anne Eby, who authorized me to mention her
name.
My wife is the former Mary Warren of Mentone, Alabama.
She is a retired elementary school teacher. We are the parents of
three sons, Wesley, Walter, and Watson, besides another son who
died in infancy. We had retired at our home in Central, SC, and were
active in First Wesleyan Church, though members of Friends. At our
children’s’ urging, we moved last August to Trevecca Retirement
Towers, where we are finding friendship, worship, and limited
opportunities for preaching and vibraharp music. We are looking
forward to whatever service is available before standing in the
Savior’s presence.
PREFACE
Waldensian Christians, a reforming sect preceding the

Reformation, sometimes traveled about Europe as merchants dealing
in precious stones as a way of obtaining access to the families of the
nobility. When they had shown their rings and trinkets, they were
then asked if they had anything more to sell. They would answer,
“Yes, we have jewels still more precious than any you have seen. We
will be glad to show them, if you promise not to betray us. We have
here a precious stone so brilliant that by its light a person may see
God and another which radiates such a fire that it rekindles the love of
God in the heart of its possessor.” Then, unwrapping their bundle,
they would reveal a Bible.
In The Lord’s Prayer for Today, Rendel Cosand has
unwrapped a bundle and revealed “a precious stone so brilliant that by
its light a person may see God.” This God is revealed in the pattern
prayer as Father, Eternal King, Provider, Forgiver, and Deliverer.
These images are brought to life by heartwarming illustrations from a
variety of sources. Many have written about the Lord’s Prayer; few
have done so with such clarity. Having enrolled in the school of
prayer decades ago, Cosand the student assumes the role of teacher
par excellence. The reader senses that he is not trafficking in unfelt
truth.
As a “month of meditations,” this book offers devotional
inspiration to individuals, families, and other groups. It could be read
easily in one sitting. I suggest that you slow down, echo the
disciples’ request: “Lord, teach us to pray” and ponder the Prayer.
D. Randy Berkner, the Author’s Pastor-Friend
Meditations—Day 1
INTRODUCTION
In the heart of China, a Lisu innkeeper asked to be taught

about prayer. She had been listening to missionary J. O. Fraser of the
China Inland Mission, who had been witnessing about Christ to one
of her guests. So he instructed her to speak a short prayer. Time did
not permit him to do more.
The next morning before he left, she again pleaded, "Tell me
again. After you are gone, there will be no one to teach me, and I do
want to remember how to pray to Him.”1 Apparently a new believer
in Christ, this special person was giving expression to her inner
craving. She wanted to pray to this One in whom she had just come
to believe. She longed to communicate acceptably with Christ. I am
convinced that this eagerness is the mark of a genuine Christian, new
or old.
Some of us have a background vastly different from that of
the lady from Lisu. From infancy I learned to say, "Now I lay me
down to sleep." At our house we prayed around the family circle
virtually every night at bedtime. Even so, I share that desire of the
Chinese lady. Though somewhat of a veteran at prayer, I still come
far short. I too want to learn how to pray. I want "to remember how
to pray to Him." How better to do this than to delve into that brief
Scripture called "the Lord's Prayer." The nuggets of truth, the
insights, the "jewels" are worth sharing. The resulting information
and inspiration are reason enough for a book.
Countless others have written about the Lord's Prayer. Many
8 The Lord’s Prayer for Today
have done so very well. Their work has been and continues to be a
great blessing. I want these pages of my writing to advance and
increase that blessing. My prayer is that through me the Holy Spirit
will accomplish this purpose. Only He can do it.
Even though the Lord's Prayer is somewhat familiar to the
Church, many of us need more adequate information about the Lord's
Prayer--its beginning, its development and usage by the early Church
and by recent Christians. We may have questions and want
satisfactory answers. Where do we find these words in the Bible?
Why did Jesus pray this special Prayer? Why did Jesus teach this
Prayer to His disciples? What were the occasions? What did He have
in mind with the words "in this manner"? In Matthew 6:9 we find the
little word "therefore." What is it there for? What about the history
of the Lord's Prayer? How and to what extent has this Prayer been
used in earlier times? In contemporary times?
How can we get a better understanding of the Lord's Prayer?
We can do so partly by fitting it into the context, the setting, the
"before and after."
Too often when reading even one book of the Bible we think
of it as a jigsaw puzzle of bits and pieces, perhaps even unrelated to
one another. There may be two causes for this rather unfortunate
mind-set. Many otherwise good preachers contribute to this limited
view. The sermonizer either chooses a topic or "takes a text." Then
he or she proceeds to comment and elaborate, often without
considering the context. What comes before or follows really is
important, providing insight. Also, the division of Scripture into
chapters and verses sometimes causes us to ignore the bigger picture.
What does all of this have to do with the Lord's Prayer? The
context will help us to gain a better understanding of that Prayer.
Let's look at some examples. The avoidance of "vain repetitions" in
Introduction 9
Matthew 6:7 (just before the Lord's Prayer) needs to be counter-

balanced with the "ask...seek...knock," (words meaning to "keep on
asking, seeking, knocking") of 7:7 (following that Prayer.) Jesus'
emphasis on forgiving others (Matthew 6:14 and 15) should be linked
with verse 12 in the Prayer. At the close of Luke 10 Jesus
commended Mary for choosing that "good part" of spiritual life, even
though Martha's hospitality was important. The Lord's Prayer in
Luke chapter 11 comes next. This linking together suggests that the
Lord's Prayer should be devotional, not necessarily ritualistic.
Certainly the persistence of bothering one's neighbor to get bread at
midnight has some bearing on how we pray the Lord's Prayer. The
emphasis is on earnestness, not on mere form.
Besides information about the Lord's Prayer, may there also
be inspiration to pray. This writer aspires to give to the reader more
desire for God and for a more satisfying, effective prayer life.
Hopefully this will include new insights about prayer generally and
the Lord's Prayer particularly. May the principles embodied in that
great Prayer, such as reverence toward God and forgiveness toward
others, permeate all our attitudes and relationships. This includes our
entire prayer life. May Jesus' words become not only a pattern but
also a power, a force more than a form, a "recipe" instead of a mere
ritual. I am convinced that this short Prayer contains the necessary
"ingredients" for all of our prayers.
May the Lord's Prayer "come alive." Each time we
participate in this Prayer alone or in a group, hopefully we will realize
more fully what we are saying and doing. May we take this great
Prayer and, word by word, phrase by phrase, search for its treasures
and apply its truths to our lives.
I have chosen to divide our focus on the Lord's Prayer into
thirty-one "days" for "A Month of Meditations," suitable for study and
devotional use by families, other groups, or individuals.

With an occasional exception, when the traditional King
James wording of "Thy" and "Thine” seems more appropriate, the
quotations are from The Wesley Bible, New King James Version, c
1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville. Other quotations are noted,
and the versions from which they come. The change from traditional
wording might be a bit disturbing to some. But many who are less
accustomed to the Scripture may find the New King James Version
more readable and more appealing. I think that we do well to reach
those kinds of people.
1
Lois Hoadley Dick, Isobel Kuhn, p. 37. Bethany House Publishers,
Minneapolis, MN 55438. c 1937.
Meditations—Day 2
IMPRESSIVE PRAYER
Have you ever been unusually impressed by someone's

prayers? In seventeenth century England, William Penn wrote about
his contemporary George Fox, founder of the Friends Church or
Society of Friends, "But above all he excelled in prayer." Penn added
that "the reverence and solemnity of his address and behavior, and the
fewness and fullness of his words have often struck even strangers
with admiration..."1 This does not mean that Fox prayed to impress.
But his prayers certainly did make an impact.
Centuries earlier, Jesus' disciples were deeply stirred by the
prayers of their Master. Jesus prayed. They listened. Then they
requested, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
(Luke 11:1). His answer to them was: "When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone
Who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one."
Some manuscripts are shorter, not including the part

pertaining to God's kingdom, His will, and deliverance from evil.
Jesus presented the Lord's Prayer also in Matthew 6:9--13. In
Matthew's account He used the word "debts" instead of "sins." Some
of the manuscripts also include the last sentence or Doxology, which
we shall consider later,
For Yours is the kingdom and
the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Why, do you think, would Jesus give to His followers the
Lord's Prayer twice? Good question. One answer may be that those
disciples, along with some of us, were slow learners. They needed to
hear this instruction more than once, along with some other truths, in
order for it to "soak in." Also the groups and settings were not the
same. The occasions were different. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus
apparently was alone with His disciples. In Matthew there was a
crowd. There is some question as to whether or not this very large
group followed Jesus up the mountain and listened to Him, with His
close followers around Him. Or did He see the multitude and then try
to get away from them so that He could preach not a sermon but just
some private instruction? The situation seems to indicate that all the
people heard this "Sermon on the Mount."
A crowd in Matthew! Close fellowship in Luke! Probably
that is a fitting description. Yet Jesus' focus in Matthew seems to be
more on private devotions. In Luke, Jesus is teaching a small group
to pray.
Our children certainly honor us, their parents, by trying to
provide for our comfort and happiness. Our oldest son, Wesley, had a
cross-the-nation job-related move. So he and his wife Ruth designed
and built a big, beautiful house. Just in case we might need it, they
Impressive Prayer 13
included a "Grandpa and Grandma's room,” with bath and shower and
closets. After my wife had a serious fall but was finally able to travel
again, we stayed with them for more than two months. They
temporarily converted one of these closets into an office for me, with
books, shelves, desk, and computer- printer. I loved this small room,
a private sanctuary. Often early in the morning I went into this study,
shut the door, and prayed to my Father in secret, just as Jesus
instructed. Again with the help of our children, we have since moved
into a high-rise retirement complex, near the home of another son and
his family. Fortunately here we now have an extra “efficiency”
apartment, an ideal place for study and work Here I often go,” shut
the door,” and in secret talk to my Heavenly Father. He promises to
reward me openly. .
During the "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus gave the earlier
Lord's Prayer. Evidently He related this great Prayer more to private
worship and intercession. When He directed His disciples and us to
pray "in this manner," I think that He had in mind personal devotion
more than mere ritual performance. So our praying the Lord's Prayer
should go deeper than just learning and reciting this Prayer by rote.
We do well to incorporate the Prayer and its "ingredients" into our
speaking with God alone. Let's talk to Him about His kingdom, His
will, and our needs when no other ears are listening. And of course
we ought to have our spiritual "antennas" up and our "dial" tuned to
what He may say to us in return.
I am not ruling out corporate reciting of the Lord's Prayer,
such as in Sunday morning worship. What a privilege of joining with
others as a congregation, whether regularly or at least occasionally, in
vocally praying the Lord's Prayer to "our Father in heaven."
However, that Prayer should also be personal and perhaps very
frequent.
Regarding the Lord's Prayer, A. T. Robertson in his Word

Pictures states: "There is no evidence that Jesus meant it for
liturgical use by others."2 Quaker scholar Elton Trueblood
maintained that the primitive church was not liturgical, that the entire
New Testament gives no single order of worship, and that Christ gave
no directions to that end. Therefore, according to Trueblood, the
Lord Jesus never gave this Prayer for rote memorization.3 Perhaps
controversial, these views are at least worthy of consideration.
1
E. M. Bounds, Preacher and Prayer, p. 14. The Christian Witness Co.,
Chicago and Boston, 1911
2
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament,
Volume I, p. 52. Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee. c 1930 by the S.S.
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
3
David Elton Trueblood, The Lord's Prayers, p. 46. Harper & Row
Publishers, New York, Evanston and London. c 1965 1st edition.
Meditations--Day 3
THEN AND NOW
In Luke 11 Jesus was alone with His disciples. He had been

praying aloud, and they had heard Him. Even though the group was
not large, it was a group, a small congregation. They asked Him for
instruction, and He gave them the Lord's Prayer. We may well
deduce that this Prayer belongs not just to personal supplication but
also to corporate worship. Evidently the Lord's Prayer applies to both
settings.
Let's come to a proper understanding of the Lord's Prayer. It
is suitable for either personal or congregational entrance into God's
presence. Jesus meant it that way. He desired to meet the needs of
His disciples then and now. He wanted to equip His followers of
each generation that through them His kingdom might be advanced.
What then happened in later generations? Soon the use of
the Lord's Prayer became more routine. The Lord's Prayer appears in
the Didache, written at the close of the first century. That early
author directed that this Prayer should be prayed "three times a day."1
Eventually ritualism replaced spontaneity. Soon the church was
frequently using this Prayer formally, on such occasions as "Laying
on of Hands," Baptism, and Eucharist. We read of this in a nineteenth
century book by Frederic Henry Chase, The Lord's Prayer in the
Early Church.2
In Catholic tradition from early times the sacrament of
baptism and the Eucharist included praying the Lord's Prayer. "In the
fourth century Cyril of Jerusalem mentions the Lord's Prayer as a part
of the Eucharistic celebration." Jungmann traces the history of the

mass and calls the Lord's Prayer the "center of the communion
preparation."3 Candidates for their first communion were required to
memorize and repeat the Lord's Prayer.
Today in some Protestant denominations the Lord's Prayer
and the Apostles' Creed are a part of every Sunday morning worship
program. In other fellowships it is prayed less frequently. I have
heard it used at weddings, funerals, communion services, informal
small groups, benedictions. Many of us have listened to the beautiful
musical rendition. Some think of the Lord's Prayer as a way of
bringing a religious setting into an otherwise secular situation. But
this precious Prayer is far more significant and important than just
that.
The early church father Tertullian taught that the Lord's
4
Prayer was "a summary of the whole gospel." A recent author Herd
Allen Drake calls it the "model Prayer."5 The late commentator
Adam Clarke described it as a "plan," and "a prayer necessary to
prayer."6 Noted Lutheran preacher Oswald C. J. Hoffman describes it
as "a starter for every kind of prayer"7 and "a pattern, not a formula."8
Pastor Ray Stedman declares that it "is not intended to be ... like a
Christianized prayer-wheel." Rather, he calls it "a guide."9 To
scholar Dr. Ralph Earle it was "a perfect model of the simplicity and
sincerity for which Jesus was pleading."10 Christian journalist Philip
Yancey describes it thus: "Jesus' capsule summary of prayerfully
living one day at a time."11 According to Dr. Steve Harper, "The
Lord's Prayer is so simple that it can be memorized by children. Yet,
it is so profound that a person can spend a lifetime exploring its
message."12
Praying the Lord's Prayer aloud in a group setting can be a
blessing, while saving valuable time. It can involve the timid, those
Then And Now 17
who are not accustomed to vocalizing prayer. Thus some who would
like to learn to pray but don't know how can get started through such
activity.
How often should we repeat the Lord's Prayer, or any prayer?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned against "vain repetitions."
Just saying something religious over and over does not impress God
or gain "brownie points." Yet a true lover often tells his wife, his
sweetheart, "I love you." If he shows that affection and devotion by
loving attitudes and acts, then such repetitive emphasis draws the two
closer together. This applies to our prayer life and to telling God,
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done"--or other parts of the
Lord's Prayer. Praying this Prayer certainly need not happen "three
times a day." However, we could often talk to our Heavenly Father
with these words and with great meaning.
1
Philip B. Harner, Understanding the Lord's Prayer, p 6. Fortress Press,
Philadelphia. c 1975
2
Texts and Studies. Contributions to Biblical and Patristic Literature.
Edited by J. Armitage Robinson, B.D. Vol. 1, No. 3. Frederic Henry Chase
B.D., The Lord's Prayer in the Early Church, p. 12. Cambridge at the
University Press, 1891. Kraus Reprint 3, 1967.
3
Nicholas Ayo C.S.C., The Lord's Prayer, a Survey Theological and
Literary, p. 193. University of Netherlands Press c 1992.
4
Philip B. Harner, Understanding the Lord's Prayer, p. 120. Fortress Press,
Philadelphia c 1975.
5
Hurd Allen Drake, Our Father, p. 12. Higley Press, Butler IN c 1949.
6
Adam Clarke, The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Text ... with Commentary and Critical Notes. Volume I.--Matthew to the
Acts, p. 85. Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, New York, Nashville, c. 1964
7
Oswald C.J. Hoffman, The Lord's Prayer, p. 3. Harper & Row Publishers,
San Francisco c 1982. 10 E. 53rd St., New York, NY 10022.
8
Ibid., p. 1.
9
Ray c. Stedman, Jesus Teaches on Prayer, p. 67. Word Books, Publisher,
Waco, Texas, c 1975
10
Ralph Earle, Beacon Bible Commentary, Volune VI. Matthew, p. 82.
Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, c 1964
11
"Christianity Today", p. 88, Jan. 11, Vol. 37. No. 1. Christianity Today
Inc., 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 68188.
12
Steve Harper, Praying Through the Lord's Prayer, p. 74. Upper Room
Books, Nashville c 1992. lst printing April 1992, 2nd printing May 1993.
Meditations--Day 4
FATHER IN HEAVEN
Caryl Matrisciana tells her life-story in her captivating work

entitled Gods of the New Age. This book reveals her own spiritual
quest and her involvement with "New Age" beliefs and
entanglements. Finally she experienced deliverance and a wonderful
changed life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.1
New Age is a subtle, satanic mixture of astrology, Eastern
philosophy, Yoga, Hinduism, and attempts to merge this into
Christianity. Reincarnation is the ultimate resulting delusion. The
Scriptures definitely refute this false idea by declaring that "it is
appointed for men to die once, but after this", not reincarnation,
coming back in some other form, but rather "the judgment" (Hebrews
9:27.) Another related satanic lie is that animal life is more valuable,
even more sacred, than human life. Yes, many of us love our pets,
dogs, cats, horses. That is all right. But we have all heard of the
sacred cows of India. Let's face it. When affection for four-legged
friends becomes veneration, followed by sanctity, then worship, we
have become pagan.
Another related unscriptural, non-Christian idea is that God is
abstract, not personal. Caryl quotes from writer Mark Albrecht,
"God is usually perceived in an impersonal sense as law, energy, or
creative force."2
The Lord's Prayer begins with an all-important basic truth.
God is not a force but a Father. Jesus began with "Our Father in
heaven." So definite, so familiar, so plain that even a child can grasp
that fact. In just four simple words our Lord Jesus brushed away false
religion, blind philosophy, pagan darkness. He is "our Father," "my
Father in heaven." With all my being I want that relationship. I
desire above all else to belong to Him.
This idea of intimacy with God is seldom found in the Old
Testament. The ancient Israelites were afraid to speak His name.
Eventually God's people addressed Him as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh."
His fires burned and His thunders roared on Mt. Sinai. No one except
Moses dared to come near. Both man and beast were required to
stand back in fear of this majestic, awesome Deity.
There are exceptions, of course. Occasionally the Old
Testament prophets give a glimpse of a more personal, familiar
relationship. On behalf of Israel the prophet Isaiah calls in chapter
63, verse 16b, "You, O Lord, are our Father, Our Redeemer, from
Everlasting is Your name." In the next chapter, verse 8, we read,
"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our
potter; And all we are the work of Your hand." Jeremiah pleads in
chapter 3, verse 4, "Will you not from this time cry to Me, My Father,
You are the guide of my youth?'" Yet still there is a distance, a
separation between Jehovah and Israel.
However, by example and instruction Jesus moved His
followers then and now toward intimacy with the Heavenly Father.
Jesus called God by the affectionate term, "Father." Many times
Jesus addressed Him thus. He used the adjectives "holy" or
"righteous", but still the term was "Father." The only exception was
His agonizing cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have You
forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46b.) Even more amazing, in the Lord's
Prayer Jesus tells His followers to pray "in this manner." "Don't stay
away, but come close. Don't draw back, but draw near." This is the
extended scepter in the hand of the Divine King. We may approach,
Father In Heaven 21
and live. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews
4:16.)
We have already noted the fact that Jesus sets a worthy
example when He taught us the Lord’s Prayer. His relationship to the
Father needs to be emphasized in our post-September 11 culture.
America is becoming more aware of the increasingly growing Muslim
presence and influence in America. What does the Muslim religion
have to say about God as Father? Timothy George, dean of Beeson
Divinity School at Samford University, Birmingham, gives clarity to
this question. He states: “No devout Muslim can call the God of
Muhammad ‘Father,’ for this, to their mind, would compromise
divine transcendence. But no faithful Christian can refuse to confess,
with joy and confidence, ‘I believe in God the Father…. Almighty!’”3
Bible-believing Christians need to be fully aware of this and some
other clear-cut differences between vital genuine Christianity and
Islam.
Fritz Ridenour is a well-read authority on major religions and
the cults. In his recently revised best-seller So What’s the Difference
he states about Muslim “Of the 99 names ascribed to God, ‘Father’ is
omitted (to avoid the idea of the Father and the Son). This is in stark
contrast to the Bible and to Jesus’ own teaching, which says that God
is our personal heavenly Father.”4
Unfortunately our American culture has far too many
dysfunctional families, divorces, and single parenthood situations.
Many children don't even know who their fathers really are. Even
when there are dads who are present and active, the inconsistencies of
many of these men blur the right concept which children should have
of father. George Bernard Shaw had difficulty in believing because
of his father. A scoundrel, that absentee man cared mostly about
cricket and pubs. Likewise, C. S. Lewis struggled to overcome the

bad imprint left by his harsh father.5 However, there is good news
for family life. The Old Testament closed with a wonderful promise.
Through a coming "Elijah the prophet" God would "turn the hearts of
the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their
fathers” (Malachi 4:6.) In the opening of the New Testament God
fulfilled this word through the ministry of John the Baptist (Luke
1:17.) Now retired, I am still a pastor and family man. I have seen
the Lord perform these kinds of miracles in family relationships.
1
Caryl Matrisciana, Gods of the New Age, p. 104. Harvest House
Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97402 c 1985.
2
Ibid., p. 25.
3
Timothy George, “Is the God of Muhammad the Father of Jesus,” p. 34.
“Christianity Today,” February 4, 2002, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream
IL
4
Fritz Ridenour, So What’s The Difference?, p. 81. Regal Books For Gospel
Light, Ventura, CA c 2001.
5
Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read, pp. 27, 28. Zondervan Publishing
House, Grand Rapids MI 49530. c1999.
Meditations--Day 5
COMMUNITY
“I believe in God the Father Almighty,--” We usually recite

these opening words of the Apostles’ Creed corporately, in a group or
congregation. Together we affirm faith that extends beyond age,
gender, race, ethnicity, background.
Why did Jesus instruct His disciples to pray "Our Father?"
Why not "My Father'? (Some early texts have just "Father." This
variation shows up in recent translations.) God may want the seeker
in honesty to ask forgiveness for "my" sins instead of "our" sins.
"It's me, it's me, oh Lord,
Standing in the need of prayer "
Let's suggest a couple of answers to the question. One is that
Jesus was talking to the entire group, not just one person, hence the
word "our." Also addressing "Our Father" instead of "my Father"
broadens the scope of our prayers. In so doing we stretch our
horizons. This helps us to get beyond merely praying, "God bless me
and my wife and my son John and his wife. Us four and no more."
God wants to cure us from narrow, self-centered praying. He is the
spiritual ophthalmologist, able to heal us from our "tunnel vision."
Addressing "our Father" moves us in that direction.
"Our" embraces community. As I thus pray, I join with
others, especially fellow believers. This concept builds a relationship
between the one praying and many others who have like faith and
similar needs. With this little word I reach out and put my arms
around the human family and especially "the family of God."
A spoiled child may selfishly try to monopolize his or her

daddy's love and attention, and even daddy's lap. God has plenty of
love for everyone, enough to go around. He has a big enough "lap"
for all of His children. He wants to bless others as well as me. Also,
I certainly am obligated to love my brother or sister or neighbor,
whether across the street or across the sea. I need to be concerned, to
empathize, to sympathize, to feel for and with that person.
In the opening words of the Lord's Prayer let us take a look
also at gender. This came to my attention one day. Someone had left
the television running When I walked in, a young lady reporter was
interviewing a prominent minister and author. Evidently she had just
asked him what he thought of masculine pronouns and terms applied
to God and the efforts of some to change that concept and custom. I
did not hear the question, but his answer was wise and to the point. "I
have served God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son too long to start
serving God the mother and Jesus Christ the daughter." I am sure that
in his reply this prominent clergyman was not intending any
disrespect for mothers and daughters.
For thousands of years many pagan religions have fostered
the idea of female gods, such as Asherah, Ashtoreth or Astarte, Ishtar,
Anath, Artemis or Diana, and others. Could it be that in Christianity
this seemingly innocent movement to desex God is a big step in that
direction? I think so.
In fact, a 1993 ecumenical conference on women, held in
Minneapolis, actually sought to deify wisdom or "Sophia" as a
goddess to be worshiped.1 This drastically departs from the concept
of wisdom as a desirable abstraction, described in Proverbs chapter
three.
I don't want to deal with controversy about the place of
woman versus man in the home and in the church. However, I do feel
Community 25
strongly about a modern trend. People who would take their scissors
and remove from the hymns of the church and even from the Word of
God those names, terms, and pronouns describing or referring to God
and Christ as being too masculine and therefore disturbingly sexist,
are carrying their crusade for sex equality too far.
We must avoid the idea that God is either a physical or a
sexual being. But the Scriptures reveal Him as masculine in gender.
Let us in wisdom accept and not tamper with that revelation.
God is our Father. Jesus is my Elder Brother. I am satisfied
with that.
1
"The Courier-Tribune", Asheboro NC 27203, Monday, January 31, 1994,
p. 6A
Meditations--Day 6
"PAPA"
What about my father on earth? We called him "Papa."

I remember in my childhood how safe and secure I felt in his
presence. We lived in the North. When we walked on ice or snow,
sometimes it was hard for me to stand up. But with Papa's grip on my
hand, there seemed to be no problem. Also, our community was
usually safe. But once when I was just a boy uptown alone, some
mean bullies decided to throw some stones at me. Not so when my
father was beside me. Then I was fearless.
My parents were both self-sacrificing. During my third and
fourth year of college my father and mother gave to me their
Plymouth, even though they could scarcely afford to do so. That
solved the travel problem for our Varsity Quartet, of which I was the
bass.
My father was kind and good. He labored long and hard for
God's kingdom, for the Church, and for his family. During early
Depression days he was often away from home much of the time. He
was a soloist and song leader for revival meetings (when the offerings
or honoraria were pitifully small.) Later for several years, without
complaint, in ice and snow, cold and rain and heat, he walked the
streets of Alliance, Ohio. He fought off unfriendly dogs, descended
stairs, entered basements to read indoor gas meters. He climbed
ladders, painted houses, hung wallpaper. With some help from me he
planted and tilled our gardens. He pruned and grafted trees and
picked fruit.
Of course there were some things that my father could not do.
He was only my father on earth. In his late years he often had to lie
down and rest. He became very ill and underwent surgery.
Eventually he lay down and died.
However, my Father in heaven is eternal, perfect, faultless,
holy, unfailing, unchanging. He loves us more than any earthly
parent could ever love. I trust Him. "O for grace to trust Him more."
This higher concept of my Heavenly Father helps us to
understand prayer. It is beyond merely asking and receiving. It is
more than the spiritual exercise of admiration and devotion, as
worthwhile as that may be. It is both an act and attitude of
communion. In fact, it is an association.
The church in which our son Walter, his wife Patricia, and
their family were involved had a Wednesday night series for children.
The Christian Education director wrote the material. Seven-year-olds
were in the part called "Tree Climbers," and the dads were also
involved. So when our grandson Michael was that age, Patricia wrote
that he was really excited because of the father-son activities in the
program. Michael and his dad were spending time with each other,
doing things together.
Prayer is like that. It is entering into Kingdom activity with
my Father in heaven.
For a long time the Cosand family was really scattered. Then
last year my wife and I drastically reduced our household goods in
order to move into retirement apartments near one of our sons and his
family. However, we were previously talking with some of our
children about that future day when my wife and I will be gone and
the estate will have to be settled. We were so far apart geographically
that distribution of our furniture, appliances, and other belongings
would be difficult and expensive. I asked my sons and daughters-in-
Papa 29
law what particular household items each of them might eventually

want. Our oldest son Wesley mentioned that he would like to have my
"papering board." This is really a long box which unfolds into a table
for cutting wallpaper and spreading paste on the paper for hanging.
When closed, this "board" is a case that holds the paperhanging tools.
It belonged to my Dad before me. He used it a great deal. Wesley
said that he wants this. Now I question how much Wesley will use it.
That's not important. He remarked to me that he wanted it because "I
remember that you and I did some wallpapering together." I was glad
he had that sentimental, and hopefully pleasant, memory.
Prayer is a Heavenly Father--earthly son (daughter) activity
and wholesome relationship.
"Our Father in heaven!" Beginning prayer in this way means
my being with my Father. I take time to be in His presence. In this
business of intercessory prayer we are working together.
Effective prayer is just that. It is work. It is not for the lazy,
the indolent, the "softy." The person with whom we work can make a
tremendous difference as to whether a job is pleasant or painful, a
success or a failure. Working with God? What a privilege and
satisfaction! God works in answer to prayer.
Meditations--Day 7
ALL GOD'S CHILDREN?
The apostle Paul was an educated man, acquainted with

Grecian poetry. One such poem was entitled "Natural Phenomena,"
written by Aratus, a man from Paul's own country of Cilicia. So Paul,
in his sermon to the learned men of Athens, quoted from this work the
statement, "'We are also his offspring'" (Acts 17:28b.)1 Paul preached
to them the personal God of creation. He explained to them the folly
of idolatry. He proclaimed the resurrection of Christ and God's
command for all people to repent. He plainly stated that God is the
author of every human life. In that sense all people are children of
God, regardless of gender, color, race, character, or conduct.
We find the same emphasis in Malachi 2:10a, "Have we not
all one Father? Has not one God created us?"
However, sin entered the human race and alienated man from
God. Our sins have caused us to separate from God and to enter the
kingdom and family of spiritual darkness. In that special sense we are
not all God's children. After we become old enough to know right
from wrong, we choose to do wrong. Then something happens. We
lose that spiritual life which can be restored only by our act of
receiving Jesus Christ in repentance. Only by saving faith can we
receive forgiveness and become spiritually re-created, made alive in
Christ.
Not everyone is willing to accept this truth. Some of Jesus'
adversaries declared to Him in John 8:41b, 42, 44, "'we have one
Father--God,' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you
would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God... You are
of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to
do.'"
John in 1:11--13 explained that Jesus "came to that which
was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who
received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (NIV.) Paul
also emphasized that not those who are led by the ways of the world
or by their own willfulness or selfish interests, but "as many as are led
by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14.)
So in order to be a true child of God and no longer a part of
Satan's family, we must become not just forgiven but spiritually
regenerated, made alive. We must experience that spiritual rebirth
and become "born again." By this definite act of "receiving" Christ as
our Savior, opening our hearts to the miracle of the new birth, and
only this way, do we become the children of God.
One time someone asked Evangelist George Whitefield,
"Why do you preach so much on 'You must be born again'?" He
replied, "Because you must be born again."
Praying the Lord's Prayer involves relationship with the
Heavenly Father.
1
F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, p.242. William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503. c 1977
The Paternoster Press Ltd. Fourth Printing October 1980.
Meditations--Day 8
"FIRST THINGS FIRST"
I served as pastor in a southern State. In our church

membership was a lovely family--husband, wife and several children.
Unfortunately the man, a plumbing contractor, had turned away from
the Lord and from the church. His wife and children came faithfully
without him. Many folk were praying for him, and the Holy Spirit
worked. The man started attending. One night in a community
revival campaign he came back to the Lord. There were prompt
changes in his lifestyle. He postponed his bookkeeping and other
business from Sunday to some time later in the week.
One day God spoke clearly to him: "Your business is too big
and is keeping you from faithfully attending Wednesday night prayer
meeting. Reduce it." In obedience he laid off some employees and
sold some trucks. Then a surprising thing happened. His net income
actually increased. He discovered that now he was able to keep a
closer management on his affairs and operate more efficiently. As he
sought to honor the Lord, God honored him. He became a loyal
supporter of the church. He also began daily to arrive at the job
earlier than his workmen. Before they came to work, he spent some
time alone in Bible reading and prayer.
One problem in the business world is the reluctance or
unwillingness of some customers to pay their bills. Once the
plumbing work was done, in some cases the contractor would be left
with nothing but empty promises. Certainly concerned, my friend
prayed about this. Then one day alone in his office he told the Lord
that the business was His. "Even if people unfairly take everything
I've got, I'll still serve You with all my heart." Suddenly the Holy
Spirit came, and God became very real. When this man went home to
lunch, his wife glanced at him and immediately exclaimed,
"Something has happened to you!"
The years passed. This Spirit-filled man is now in heaven.
But he had learned a fundamental principle, to "seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you" (Matthew 6:33).
Years ago my wife and I graduated from Marion College,
Marion, Indiana (now Indiana Wesleyan University). The College
had a motto: "The school that puts first things first." Another
Christian school, Malone College of Canton, Ohio, has on its official
seal a similar logo: "Christ's Kingdom First." I think that this
principle applies not just to colleges but also to individuals. This
principle should govern the way we pray.
In the Lord's Prayer Jesus taught us that prayer should begin
with God's honor, "Hallowed be Your name." Then the focus moves
to God's kingdom and His will. God comes first. Only later do we
come to "daily bread," or that raise in salary, or making an "A" on an
exam at school.
This priority contrasts with so many of our ideas about
prayer. Do we think of prayer in much the same way as writing a
letter to Santa Claus, or handing God a shopping list? "Give me this.
Give me that. I want this. Please do that for me." Rather, "God, I
want You to get glory to Your sacred name. I ask You to spread
Your word, advance Your cause, accomplish Your purposes, build up
Your work. I yield fully to Your will."
When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we are really praying for
revival, evangelism, missions, the second coming of Christ, and much
First Things First 35
more. We are submitting ourselves to God in full consecration.

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Let's put God and not self first in our praying. That's the
order that Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer.
Meditations--Day 9
REVERENCE
The Lord's Prayer leads us to draw near to God, become close

to Him. Very good! That is wonderful intimacy. At the same time
with awe and reverence can we approach the God who is not just
intimate but also infinite?
Isaac Watts was one of the greatest hymn writers of all time.
He wrote the words of some of our most-loved hymns, "Joy to the
World," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "Am I a Soldier of the
Cross?," "Jesus Shall Reign," and many others. Even as a child he
had unusual poetic ability.
Once during family devotions Isaac's father was praying.
Perhaps mischievous Isaac was becoming a little bored. Opening his
eyes, he caught a glimpse of a mouse. Amused, he started to laugh.
"This will never do," thought his father. The prayer stopped. Father
demanded to know what was so funny. Sheepishly Isaac admitted, "I
saw a mouse climb up the bell rope, near the fireplace, and the words
came into my mind,
There was a mouse, for want of stairs,
Ran up a rope to say his prayers."
Indignantly the older Watts thought it was time for
correction, punishment. He reached over to grab his son and give him
a good spanking. Just then Isaac cried out,
"O father, father, pity take,
And I will no more verses make."1
Like young Isaac, we are amused. But right or wrong, devout
Mr. Watts wanted his son to learn reverence as a part of prayer, and a
part of life.
I think our Lord Jesus wanted all of us, His children, to learn
this lesson. Hence He instructed His disciples and us to pray,
"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name." (Matthew 6:9.)
Expressing the Lord's Prayer and especially the words
"Hallowed be Your name" is an act of worship and reverence.
What's in a name?
In our American culture names may not matter very much.
We parents choose for our child a name that sounds pretty, or
masculine, or lady-like. It may instead be a family name, or that of
some religious leader. Perhaps it is the name of some sports or
entertainment star. We may choose the name of some friend,
someone special, or someone dear to us. In America a person's name
may be little more than a means of identity.
However, to people in Bible times names had meaning.
Sometimes those names were prophetic, indicating destiny. A
personal name for a baby sometimes reflected a situation in the home
or condition of the mother at the baby's birth.
When we pray "Hallowed be Your name," we are referring to
more than God's identity. The name of the Lord involves His
character, His attributes, His position, His supremacy, His authority.
We are doing more than "talking to the Man Upstairs." Our holy God
is more than just "a good buddy."
In Psalm 111 the author writes of the greatness and power of
God's works, the glory of His deeds, the redemption that He provides.
He then exclaims in v. 9b, "holy and awesome is His name."
What is the meaning of the word "hallowed"?
I read the story of the Mississippi deacon who prayed very
Reverence 39
loud prayers. He really turned up the volume of his vocal cords every
time he prayed in church or prayer meeting. Once someone asked
him why he prayed so loudly. He replied, "Well, it says in the Bible,
'Hollered be Thy name.'"2 Obviously he misunderstood the word.
"Hallowed" is a translation into English of the word "holy."
We certainly don't need to ask God to make His name holy, for it is
already that. But we should tell God, "Let Your name be held or
spoken or used with utmost respect, sanctity, and honor." I pray, "Let
that be so in my life and from my lips. Also, may other people truly
reverence Your name, in my home, in my community and around the
world. Let Your name not be cheapened, dishonored, profaned, or
defiled in any way, by or through me or anyone else. Let Your name
be glorified!"
We are to cherish the names of our God. Likewise I consider
the name of my sweetheart, my wife Mary, as precious and special.
So much more so is God's name. "Jesus, oh, how sweet the name!"
In a world of profanity and vulgarity it must be refreshing to
the ears and the heart of our God to hear Christians, the people of
God, as they sincerely raise their voices in reverential praise to the
God of the universe, who is our Creator, Redeemer, Father. "Blessed
be the name of the Lord!"
1
Quoted from memory.
2
Alton H. McEachern, A Pattern for Prayer, p. 37. J. M. Productions, Inc.,
P.O. Box 837, Brentwood TN 37027. c 1982.
Meditations, Day 10
LIPS AND HEARTS
A few years ago one of our young neighbors was a student in

the Christian university near our home. After graduation he became a
youth pastor and later a senior pastor. He told me of this experience
in literature class while he was still a high school student. The book
they were studying was well-seasoned (no, defiled) with expletives.
The teacher assigned each member of the class to take his or her turn
reading before the class some paragraphs from this so-called
"literature." When it came his turn, my friend stated that he would
not read this material, with its frequent profanity. In fact, he walked
out of the class. His courageous stand caused quite a stir. Probably
his grade and credit were in danger. News about the incident went all
the way to the city school board. Fortunately those men and women
had enough courage and the fear of God to order that book removed
from the curriculum.
That is true Christian boldness, to "hallow" God's name.
God sees and hears and knows everything that goes on across
our world. Much of our speech in America must be very offensive to
Him and grievous to His heart. In public places and private, in the
city and the country, in factories and offices, God's name is
blasphemed. This travesty goes on in affluent neighborhoods and on
skid row. Movie makers and playwrights "spice up" their productions
with "raw language." "Our brains are no longer conditioned for
reverence and awe," according to John Updike, as quoted from Philip
Yancey.1
"Adult language." What a shame! I am an adult. I have

children and grandchildren. I want to teach and to show my kids and
grandkids how to talk. May they never hear a swear word, a dirty
joke, a lie, an ugly expression from my lips
I am firmly convinced that our disrespect and profanity
toward God's holy name is well-nigh destroying our respect for
anything or anybody else. We wouldn't find it necessary to "Adopt a
Highway" if we had genuine respect. My wife and I lived near a
state-supported large university. Following one of the school's rock
concerts the coliseum floor and surrounding grounds were a dirty
mess of papers and cigarette butts. The problem? Lack of respect.
Let's examine one more time our speech. Even if we don't
actually use profanity or blasphemy, we should be careful not to use
God's name flippantly, carelessly. I am disturbed by the use of the
word "Lord" or "O, my God" as a sort of slang or exclamation. Even
many Christians talk this way. I am not the judge; God is. However,
it seems to me that people with the habit of that kind of speech ought
to read Exodus 20:7 in the New International Version. "You shall not
misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold
anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
Consider the spiritual depth to reverence for God's name.
Noted author Philip Yancey tells of hearing years ago a Wheaton
College chapel message by Professor Robert Webber. According to
Webber, this commandment extends beyond merely prohibiting
swearing. Rather, its rule means to "never live as though God does
not exist." Positively, "Always live in awareness of God's
2
existence."
Our world is polluted by corrupt speech. Yet there is hope.
Though somewhat out of context, the Lord God laments in Isaiah
52:5b that "'My name is blasphemed continually every day.'"
Lips And Hearts 43
However, God adds in the next verse, "'My people shall know My
name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who
speaks; 'Behold, it is I.'" God's people will begin to reverence that
wonderful name.
There is a bright side to this picture. God has wonderful
power to transform lives and to cleanse habits of speech. In the days
of Moses God wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone.
However, in this age God chooses to write them not on stone but on
our hearts. That is far better.
A few years ago the phone rang in the home of one of our
friends. The lady picked it up. Her older brother, aged seventy, was
calling her from out-of-state. He excitedly announced good news,
"I'm saved." According to her description, for many years his
lifestyle had been "a cigarette in one hand, a glass of liquor in the
other, and profanity pouring out of his mouth." But now, because of
Christ, all was different. When the phone conversation ended, the
sister turned to her husband in disbelief, "We talked for twenty
minutes, and he didn't use one bad word." Furthermore, by God's
power he continued living a changed life till his death.
One Sunday I was teaching a class of young adults. Together
we were studying the Lord's Prayer. I asked each person to share
what particular part of the Prayer was especially meaningful to him or
her. One young mother, a rather new convert, mentioned her choice,
which was "Hallowed be Thy name." She explained that recently she
had become saved and that the Lord had changed her life, including
her speech.
There is great blessing for those who venerate God's name.
In Psalm eighty-six, verse eleven, the writer prays,
"Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name."

In Psalm sixty-one, verse five, the psalmist addresses God,
"For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your
name."
God blesses those men and women who "fear" and "hallow"
His Name. And their children. Grandkids, too!
1
Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read, p. 27. Zondervan Publishing House,
Grand Rapids, MI. 49530. c 1999.
2
Ibid., p. 29.
Meditations--Day 11
KINGS AND KINGDOMS
"In this great historic moment we need to turn our face back
to God and pray." This was the electrifying outcry of Romanian
Baptist Pastor Peter Dogulescu in the presence of a huge crowd.
About one hundred fifty thousand had gathered in Timisoara,
Romania. He then led these excited countrymen in praying the Lord's
Prayer. The date was December 22, 1989.1
Just five days earlier the troops of ruthless dictator Nicolae
Ceausescu had massacred hundreds, perhaps thousands of men,
women, and children in the streets of Timisoara. Survivors and
fellow citizens had so risen in revolt that the hated ruler and his wife
Elena had fled for their lives. Opponents had pursued and captured
the Communist couple, had quickly tried them, and had put them to
death on Christmas night.2
While praying, we need to include earthly kings and
kingdoms. The apostle Paul directed us to pray "for kings and all
who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:2.). We live in our mundane
world. Like it or not, we cannot ignore the facts. Earthly rulers--
kings, potentates, dictators, presidents, prime ministers--affect and
more or less determine the directions and conditions of our lives.
Some of these leaders are helpful, some hostile. Some are beneficial,
others beastly. In either case we are to show respect and proper
submission.
I have heard preachers in the pulpit publicly speak harsh
denunciations against a national leader or president. Perhaps it would

be better to leave the judgmental business up to God and His Son.
Even the archangel Michael when arguing with the devil about
Moses' body did not lash out but left it up to God to do the accusing.
With a sense of justice Jesus called Herod a "fox." But the apostle
Paul addressed the governor as "most noble Felix" (Acts 24:3.)
The Scriptures tell us of several Old Testament spiritual
giants who made a tremendous impact on rulers in their time.
Joseph's leadership and advice to Pharaoh saved Egypt from what
would have been utter destruction through famine. Through the
plagues and the exodus God used Moses to show to Egypt and
Pharaoh that their so-called gods were no match for Jehovah. The
prophet Nathan became God's instrument to bring Israel's great king
David to repentance. The great prophet Isaiah was both spiritual and
political advisor to more than one of Judah's kings. God placed
Queen Esther into the Persian kingdom of Ahasuerus at the right time
to save the Jews from annihilation. Daniel's faithful, effective witness
and wisdom brought pagan, proud king Nebuchadnezzar back to
sanity and to praise of the Most High. On his final night before
disaster drunken Belshazzar came face-to-face with God's judgment,
thanks to discerning Daniel. After intense effective prayer Daniel
caught a glimpse of the world's future and shared these insights with
kings. By divine providence Jehovah brought these and other godly
men and women into the lives and the reigns of some of earth's
emperors. These preachers, prophets, and seers prayed, proclaimed,
and changed the course of history.
By intercession we may actually change the minds and
decisions made in Washington or Beijing or Moscow or Jerusalem.
Kings and Kingdoms 47
1
"Christianity Today", April 5, 1993, Vol. 37, No. 4, p. 83. Christianity
Today, Inc., 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
2
"Newsweek", Jan. 1, 1990, Vol. CXV, No. 1, pp. 28-32. Newsweek, 444
Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022.
Meditations--Day 12
"RULE OF GOD"
I have a friend who is a semi-retired career missionary. He

spent both his early and his late years of work in South Africa, with
some other localities in between. His story of the transition from
apartheid to the Mandela regime is, in a sense, miraculous. The
secular media of course does not tell us this. However, God
intervened in answer to prayer.
Some time before the election a white man placed an ad in a
Johannesburg newspaper. In this announcement he boldly declared
that God had given him a vision. It was a glimpse of an impending
blood-bath throughout South Africa--unless Christians really got
down to business and prevailed in prayer.
Many churches took this warning very seriously, almost
desperately. Christians, both black and white, became involved in
prayer meetings and chains of intercession. Churches had round-the-
clock effective prayer. In the city of Durban, Province of Natal, a
multi-racial prayer meeting was held in the sports field, with a crowd
of twenty thousand. Convened on Saturday afternoon, this event
continued into the evening.
One prominent black political leader was a professed born-
again Christian. He had clearly announced that he and his party
would have nothing to do with the election. This of course tended to
bring divisiveness among the black population. With only a short
time to do anything, a Christian black man from Kenya felt led to
travel to South Africa and talk with this leader. He did so. He told
the South African, "God has given me a vision. You must participate
in the election." The leader changed his mind and agreed to take part.
Special arrangements were made regarding the ballots.
We all know the consequences. Mandela was elected.
Certainly many of the promises that he made have not been fulfilled,
such as a house and a job for everyone. Serious crime is taking its toll
in that country. But there is some racial and economic progress.
There was, however, an amazing result. During the week of
the election there was not one incident of racial or political violence.
God answers prayer! He did so in South Africa. I believe
that He wants to do so in America and other countries.
In some great eternal day the kingdoms of this world will
become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall
reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15b.) Until then, we need to
pray for God's kingdom to come.
Jews for a long time had been familiar with the expression
"Kingdom of God." According to commentator Adam Clarke, the
Jews commonly declared, "He prays not at all, in whose prayers there
is no mention of the kingdom of God."1 They were accustomed to
ask God, "Let him cause his kingdom to reign, and his redemption to
flourish."
"Although the burden of Jesus' message was the kingdom of
God, He nowhere defined it. It is not recorded that anyone asked Him
what 'the kingdom of God' meant. He assumed that this was a
concept so familiar that it did not require definition."2
The kingdom of God or "the rule of God" is both present and
future. George Eldon Ladd has explained, "The Kingdom of God
involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and
consummation at the end of history."3 We sing, "In the Sweet Bye
and Bye." Our Lord Jesus wanted us to be concerned also about "the
“Rule of God” 51
sweet (or maybe not so sweet) now and now."

No doubt the Pharisees in Jesus' day thought that the
promised Messiah soon after arrival would bring political freedom
and glory to the Jews as a nation. They had the idea that He would
restore and expand the power and prestige of Israel as in the days of
David and Solomon, and much more so. Hence they asked Him when
the kingdom of God would come (Luke 17:20.) While not denying
that God will work in the future and carry out His ultimate plan, Jesus
focused on the present and the spiritual nature of the kingdom. This
the Pharisees were missing. To their question Jesus replied, "the
kingdom of God is in your midst" (verse 21 NASB.)
1
Adam Clarke's Commentary Volume V, p. 86. Abingdon-Cokesbury
Press, New York, Nashville.
2
George Eldon Ladd, Jesus and the Kingdom, p. 41. Word Book
Publisher, Waco, Texas, c 1964..
3
Ibid., p. 214.
Meditations--Day 13
THE KINGDOM AND MISSIONS
Praying for God's kingdom to come includes prayer for

missions.
Jesus' post-resurrection instructions to His disciples were to
"tell"? Yes, but first they were to "tarry.' They were to "go" but not
until they stopped to "wait." They were to be together before they
were to separate. They were to prepare before they were to
propagate.
Jesus ascended back to heaven. Then His loyal followers
gathered into Jerusalem for an extended time of prayer. What all
happened during that ten-day prayer meeting leading up to Pentecost?
We're not told much. The apostles probably offered some apologies
to each other and cleared up some petty misunderstandings. The
believers had a church business meeting to elect a replacement for
Judas. Men chose Matthias, from whom we hear nothing further. I
think that God chose Saul of Tarsus, or Paul, from whom later we
hear very much. We do know that people prayed, and God
answered.. At Pentecost He poured out His mighty power.
There were visitors present from far away, even from Rome.
Many of them were convicted and converted by the Holy Spirit.
After returning home some of those Romans surely must have
witnessed effectively to others in that great city. A church began.
Still, a very important day was yet to happen.
I remember the thrill I felt several years ago while standing at
a wharf in Kavalla, northern Greece, or Macedonia. Overhead was a
sign advertising "Mobil." I'm sure it wasn't there nearly two millenia
earlier. I looked across the water in the direction of ancient Troas, or
Troy. Kavalla was formerly known as Neapolis (Acts 16:11.) I
envisioned that centuries earlier a man named Paul stepped ashore,
after a short voyage from Troy and Samothrace. He had heard and
obeyed "the Macedonian call." The "important day" occurred when
Paul for the first time entered Europe. A few miles up the road he
and Silas walked into a major city named Philippi and attended a
women's prayer meeting. The Holy Spirit changed Lydia and her
family. Soon a fortune-telling girl became a new convert. After a
troublesome time in jail Paul led the jailor and his family to Christ.
More came to the Lord. The Philippian church was established,
followed by others, along with persecutions.
Many of us have ancestors who came to America from
various parts of Europe. Across the centuries, through some of them
the message eventually reached us here in America. True, the lamp
of gospel truth burned quite low at times. But in due time
reformation and revival came our way. Much can be attributed to
Paul and Silas. Through them the gospel came into Europe,
beginning at Philippi, and afterward.
The blessed "good news" goes around the world and from one
generation to another, when people pray. Jesus instructed His
followers, "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into His harvest." (Matthew 9:38.)
A hundred years ago there was a devout California vegetable
grower named Will. Every morning before milking the cows he
would take time to read three Bible chapters. Then after breakfast he
led his family in devotions--more Bible reading, the singing of a
hymn, and prayer. He always ended his prayer with these words,
based on Isaiah 11:9, "May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth
The Kingdom And Missions 55
as the waters cover the sea."1

Who was this Will? His last name was Townsend. He and
his wife Holly had several children. One was William Cameron
Townsend. "Uncle Cam," as the son was later affectionately known,
became the founder and leader of Wycliffe Bible Translators. This
organization has reduced many primitive languages to writing and has
translated the Bible or parts of it into hundreds of them.
Those few simple oft-repeated words of prayer by old Will
have produced tremendous results.
Still there are millions, even billions, yet unreached.
Some years ago Anna, who soon became our daughter-in-
law, spent a few days in mainland China. She went with a group of
other Christian students from America. On that visit she began
talking with a young Chinese man who could speak English. He
wanted to know why these American young people had come to
China. Anna replied that they had come to tell Chinese people about
Jesus. "Who is Jesus?' he inquired. "Is he your brother, or cousin, or
some noted American?" Anna broke down and wept. "Here I am,"
she thought, "talking with someone who has never before even heard
of my Savior."
One of the most exciting missionary developments in our
generation is "The JESUS Film Project," developed by Campus
Crusade for Christ. The film on the life of Jesus Christ is based
entirely on Scripture as related by Luke. Paul Eshleman is the
director.This project has grown from one translation (English) in
1979 to 547 translations in 1999, with an additional 234 in process.2
The goal is by the year 2000 to give every person in the world an
opportunity to hear the gospel. In Matthew 24:14 Jesus foretold that
"this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a
witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." The Jesus
Film may be a chief means of this accomplishment.

Do we pray to this end every time we tell God, "Your
kingdom come"?
1
James & Marti Hefley, Uncle Cam, p. 15. Word Books Publisher, Waco,
Texas. c 1974 by Word Incorporated.
2
"The Jesus Film Project Update," Volume 16, Isssue 1, 2000, p. 4. The
JESUS Film Project, 910 Calle Negocio Suite 300, San Clemente, CA
92673-6254.
Meditations--Day 14
REVIVAL PRAYING
Those three simple words "Your Kingdom come" can just

glibly slip from our lips, requiring less than two seconds. (The entire
Prayer could involve only half a minute.) Yet they can in the most
concise manner express our earnest plea, our longing. When I pray
them, I am presenting to God in very condensed form my heart-cry
for revival and for the spread of the Gospel.
The age of the Holy Spirit began on the day of Pentecost. He
is still here. He is active, reproving sin and changing lives. The Holy
Spirit is the One "whom God has given to those who obey Him" (Acts
5:32b.)
When we pray for God's kingdom to come, we are praying
for God to have right of way and to work powerfully, through people
who are completely willing. The writer of the Psalms cried out to
God, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power" (Psalm
110:3a KJV.) This messianic Psalm may refer to a future millennial
reign of God over His enemies, a time when the "rod" of His strength
will go out of Zion. "He shall judge among the nations" (verse 6.)
However, I think that "the day" of His power has happened at
different times and various localities around the world ever since
Pentecost.
I was born and reared in a little town called Damascus, Ohio,
situated between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. During one four-week
period in the mid-eighteen hundreds (before my time) the two
principal religious groups of that community, Friends and Methodists,
joined together in a "union revival." "This meeting was attended by a

gracious visitation of the Spirit. Reports indicate that no less than 500
were saved, while nearby churches caught the overflow blessing, and
to them another 300 were added."1 One such convert was a young
school teacher, Miss Esther Butler. God eventually led her to China,
where she established the productive Friends mission there. Later,
World War II and the Communist revolution shut down foreign
missionary work in China and precipitated severe persecution against
Christians. Nevertheless, the Gospel spread, and the Chinese church
grew tremendously. In my denomination, the work under the Friends
Church eventually spread to Taiwan, where there are now forty or
more churches.
Around the world there have been many "days" of God's
power. Hopefully there will be many more.
Consider the prayers of thirty laymen in Charlotte, North
Carolina. Deeply concerned for their city and their young people,
they met several times, outdoors, in a pasture-field on the farm of
Frank Graham. Their fasting and praying eventually led to the
coming of Evangelist Mordecai Ham for a city-wide crusade in 1934.
During those meetings there were many who came to Christ,
including two high school young men upon whom God placed His
special hand. One was Frank Graham's son, Billy Graham. The other
was Grady Wilson, who early became a leader and partner in the Billy
Graham Crusades.
No doubt God heard and noted all the prayers of those
dedicated laymen. However, one stands out. The leader Vernon
Patterson had prayed that "out of Charlotte the Lord would raise up
someone to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth." How
2
amazingly God has answered that prayer!
Let's look at another example. About the middle of the
Revival Praying 59
twentieth century a great revival began in a village called Barvas and

spread through the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland.
Among those whose prayers preceded this awakening were two
elderly, saintly sisters, Peggy and Christine Smith, both in their
eighties. Peggy was blind. Christine was badly bent over with
arthritis. They were no longer able to attend public worship. As they
pled day and night in prayer, God gave to them this promise, "I will
pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground."
Also for months before this outbreak a group of devout Scottish men
three times a week, several hours a night, met in a barn and fervently
prayed for revival. Finally, after they spent a night in contrition and
personal heart-searching, God answered their prayers.3 He used the
Spirit-anointed ministry of a preacher named Duncan Campbell.
However, this genuine revival was not the work of man. God came in
mighty power. True repentance took over. The lives of men, women,
and young people were transformed. Taverns were put out of
business. Churches and prayer meetings were filled to overflowing.
Now come with me to America. Nestled in the bluegrass
region of Kentucky is a very small town of Wilmore. This is the
location of a Christian College named Asbury. Across the street is a
Theological Seminary bearing the same name.
I have read that after New Year's Day in 1970 six Asbury
College students covenanted together to pray a half-hour a day for
revival. For how long? One month. They did this. Then one
evening they met to pray together all night. At about midnight they
joined hands with united purpose, when one exclaimed, "God has
answered. God is coming."4
Three days later, in chapel, revival spontaneously broke out.
Night and day the life-changing work of God's Spirit so occupied
students, faculty, and the community that there were no classes for a
week. This spread to the Seminary, and to other schools such as

Anderson College in Indiana, and many churches and communities
nationwide.5
I believe that when we utter the words "Your kingdom come"
and mean them, we are praying for these kinds of results, and even
greater. Yes, we surely need to do more than pray the Lord's Prayer.
But that prayer is vitally important.
1
Walter R. Williams, The Rich Heritage of Quakerism, p. 199. The Barclay
Press, Newberg OR 97132.
2
John Pollock, Crusades Twenty Years with Billy Graham, p. 6. World
Wide Publications, 1312 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403.
1966, 1969.
3
Andrew Woolsey, Duncan Campbell, pp. 113-115. Hoddder and
Staughton Limited, St. Paul's House, Warwick Lane, London and The Faith
Mission, 38 Coates Gardens, Ednburgh. c 1974.
4
Gleaned from the author's research.
5
Robert Coleman, One Divine Moment, pp. 70-75. Fleming H. Revell
Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey c 1970.
Meditations--Day 15
KINGDOM PRAYING
Soon after an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit at

Herrnhut, Germany, in 17271, some Moravian believers began a
prayer meeting that continued for one hundred years. Relays of
brethren and sisters, and even children, prayed for the work and
workers of the church day and night. This was known as The Hourly
Intercession. From that one small village community of Herrnhut in
twenty-five years more than one hundred missionaries went out
spreading the Gospel.2 Some of these Moravians were influential in
bringing John and Charles Wesley into a vital relationship with
Christ. The Wesleys had a real share in the revival that swept
England and spread into America, resulting in what we know as "the
Holiness Movement."
Let us turn the pages of church history to a more recent time.
In the twentieth century no doubt many unknown and some known
praying people have been involved in prayer for revival in Canada.
Scottish evangelist Duncan Campbell once came by invitation to
speak at Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta. He was the
preacher whom God had used mightily in the Hebrides awakening.
God gave him a great burden for Canada. One night while on his
knees praying for Canada, he experienced a vision: "I saw Canada on
fire from coast to coast."3
For twenty years Mr. Ernest Manning, a believing Christian,
was the Premier of Alberta. In 1966 he sent out a radio message that
all Christians should make the Canadian centenary an opportunity to
pray for revival in Canada. Many heeded that call.4 At about the
same time a group of Gideons in New Delhi, India, took a map of
North America. They put a finger on Saskatoon and decided to pray
at every meeting for that city. This continued for three years. They
became overjoyed when they learned about the results.5
In both Canada and the States God has unusually blessed the
ministry of twin-brother evangelists Ralph and Lou Sutera of
Mansfield, Ohio.
Pastor Wilbert McLeod of Ebenezer Baptist Church,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, had for months urged and
impressed his people to pray. He made the prayer meeting a top
priority. Then he engaged the Suteras to conduct a revival crusade.
There a special moving of God's Spirit broke out in October, 1971.6
This non-charismatic revival increased, "mushroomed," spread.
Innumerable lives were changed. More churches became involved.
The location had to be changed again and again, to take care of the
crowds. Denominational differences were almost forgotten. Services
and "afterglows" often continued for hours, even sometimes until
daybreak. There were many apologies, healings of strained marriages
and broken relationships. Honest confessions of pride, bitterness, and
other carnal traits resulted in cleansing and spiritual victory. People
made restitution for thefts and dishonest dealings. Miracles took
place. Then after six or seven weeks the movement spread to
7
Regina. Later I visited that city. The principal of a local vocational
high school told me personally of the wonderful work of God in their
midst, and in his own life. Revival spread to Winnepeg and
8
Vancouver. Some lay people were called by God to lay aside their
businesses and spread "revival" into other cities, Provinces, States,
and even overseas.
As we petition God for "Your Kingdom come," we are asking
Kingdom Praying 63
for these kinds of results.
1
Rev. John Greenfield, Power From On High, Warsaw, Indiana. P. 10. c
1928 by Rev. John Greenfield.
2
Ibid, p. 26.
3
Kurt Koch, Revival Fires in Canada, p. 18. Kregel Publications, Grand
Rapids, Michigan 49501 c 1973.
4
Ibid., p. 19.
5
Erwin W. Lutzer, Flames of Freedom, p. 38. Moody Press, Chicago. c
1976 by the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. 2nd printing, 1977.
6
Ibid., p. 28.
7
Ibid., p. 41.
8
Kurt Koch, Revival Fires in Canada, p. 48. Kregel Publications, Grand
Rapids, Michigan 49501 c 1973.
Meditations--Day 16
"EVEN SO, COME"
"'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so
come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'" The
resurrected Lord Jesus Christ had just vanished into the clouds. This
was the amazing announcement to the astonished disciples by "two
men ... in white apparel."
As in many other churches, occasionally our pastor leads the
congregation in praying the Lord's Prayer. This includes "Thy
kingdom come." Perhaps without realizing it, we are actually praying
for that promise of the angels in Acts 1:11 to be fulfilled. We are
asking God for the eventual establishing of God's kingdom in a "new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter
3:13b.)
Along with many of you, I am eager for Christ to return. In
His proper time He will surely come again, literally, bodily.
I do not claim to be a specialist in eschatology, or prophecy..
There certainly have been, and still are, extremists, who seem to be
sure that they know just how and in what order future events will take
place. Perhaps we should try to avoid the ditch on either side of the
road. One is the tendency to set dates. Many sincere Christians fully
expected the Lord Jesus to return at or about the time of 2000 A.D.
There are also many who go too far in neglecting the Book of the
Revelation. This is regrettable. The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle
John to write that great and wonderfully Book. He does not inspire us
to ignore or turn away from it. “Blessed is he who reads and those
who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are
written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3. The blessing is
upon those who “read” and “heed”—not upon those who fully
understand it,.
The tremendous increase in killings, sexual permissiveness,
and drug-related debauchery personally jolts me to believe that “the
time is near.” And what about the violence of wars?
Five years ago noted scholar, philosopher and radio preacher
Ravi Zacharias gave some startling statistics. about the casualties of
war. Just in the last fifty years there have been 149 major wars,
killing twenty-five million people.. This, states Zacharias, is double
the number of victims in the nineteenth century and seven times more
than in the eighteenth.1 The most recent proliferation of wars
doubtless sends these figures higher. .
Many students of prophecy ponder over signs of the times
indicated in the Book of Daniel. We read in Daniel 12:4b NKJV
about “the time of the end,” “Many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall increase.” The NIV presents a different angle,,
“Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” For a while I
considered the idea that the “end times” would see students moving or
traveling from one area or country to another for college or graduate
study. My wife and I have personal friends who have done just that.
One of our sons spent a year in Germany to study piano in that
country. Thousands or millions of international students have come to
American universities on student visas. Just lately I am considering
something that to me is a new thought. Could this prophecy mean
that many are “running to and fro” on the internet “to increase
knowledge”? Vast stores of information are at one’s funger- tips. My
browser keeps swinging back and forth to increase my knowledge.
“Even So, Come” 67
Perhaps not quite all is accurate, but much is. If this is the meaning of
God’s words to Daniel, what a convincing statement appears in that
prophecy! This is almost breath-taking. This is happening now!
Why should we pray for Jesus to hasten His coming when
millions even in Bible-enlightened nations are not ready to meet God?
That fact is tragic. Yet there are some valid reasons.
If we really love Jesus, we want to see Him, be with Him,
live with Him. He is our lover. We don't want to be separated from
Him.
Yes, evangelical Christians do not all see alike regarding
future events, such as the "rapture," tribulation, millenium, final
judgment, and other details.
The hour was nearing nine o'clock. Our pianist son Walter
and his wife Patricia, a violist, were scheduled to present a classical
concert as the first part of the New Year's Eve program at our church.
Our grandson David, not quite three, was sitting with his Grandma.
She told David that it was now time to get quiet. He commented, "It's
about time for Daddy and Mom to come from behind the curtains."
Well, there were no curtains, but David had previously seen his
parents perform in other places. Instead there was a door, which they
promptly opened and came onstage. The concert began.
I thought about this in relation to future events. We
evangelical Christians don't all fully agree about Bible prophecy.
However, we are confident that Jesus is indeed coming again. All of
us who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ are longing for Him to take
His rightful place of final unchallenged authority. We who are ready
would love for heaven and earth to vibrate, echo and re-echo as "loud
voices" announce: "'The kingdoms of this world have become the
kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever
and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15b.)
Until then, human beings and whole nations continue to

flaunt their wills and "thumb their noses" at God. They doubt and
disbelieve His Word. They play the game of life according to their
own rules. They blaspheme His name. They try to rule God out.
They go further and further from God. The longer the seeming delay,
the more sin. That's the horror of it all. For Jesus' sake we would like
for sin to stop, once and for all.
Is it proper to pray for Jesus' return? Most certainly. The
Bible closes with such a prayer. Jesus testifies in Revelation 22:20,
"Surely I am coming quickly." John adds, "Amen. Even so, come,
Lord Jesus!"
I say "Amen" too.
1
Ravi Zacharias, Deliver Us From Evil, p. 142. Word Publishing, Dallas. c
1996.
Meditations--Day 17
WILLINGNESS
Jesus taught us to pray for God's name to be hallowed, His

kingdom to be advanced, and His will to be done. Our God has a
sovereign will. He also made each one of us with a will, a sense of
"oughtness." Someone has said that of all God's creatures man (or
woman) is the only one that can say "Yes" or "No" to Him. Ancient
Christian theologian St. Thomas Aquinas is credited with the remark
that God "cannot save man without his cooperation."
Certainly there are deep mysteries about the sovereignty of
God versus the will of man. For centuries preachers and theologians
have wrestled with this tension. However, I like the simplicity that
someone has expressed:: "God has voted for my salvation. Satan has
chosen against it. I cast the deciding vote."
Nineteenth century American evangelist Charles Finney
preached that basically only a person's refusal to be saved stands
between him and salvation. The choice is not "cannot" but "will not."
This emphasis angered some folk.
Finney tells of such a man in Buffalo, New York. Though an
outstanding citizen with apparently high moral standards, he strongly
opposed the revival which was spreading through New York and New
England. His devout Christian wife had long been praying for him.
As others became converted, he became more heavily convicted by
the Holy Spirit.
Finally near the end of one sleepless night dawn began to
break. This man left his house and found his way into a grove alone
to pray. Having difficulty getting started, he decided to pray the

Lord's Prayer. As soon as he uttered "Our Father which art in
heaven," he was convicted of calling God his Father. When he
struggled to the words "Thy kingdom come," he almost choked. Upon
the next part, he discovered that he could not say it. He realized that
his stubborn heart was opposed to God's will. Finally, gathering all
the strength of determination, he cried aloud, "Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven." Desperately he overcame this hurdle and
accepted the whole will of God. In so doing he gave up his rebellion
and became saved. According to Finney, he "lived and died a useful
Christian man."1
Praying this part of the Lord's Prayer also can and should help
the Christian with full surrender, complete consecration. It means
giving up one's own selfish, willful way for God's way.
In my teens I had a pastor named Walter R. Williams, who
was a wise and godly man. He became a missionary to China and
later a denominational executive. He has since gone to be with the
Lord. More than once I heard him describe what God had done in his
life: "After God sanctified me, I never had a question as to whether
or not I would do the will of God. I often had to seek direction, to
find out what the Lord's will is. But once I knew that, there was no
longer a question as to whether I would do it."
That is down-to-earth consecration.
Not quite sixty years ago the Holy Spirit visited my home
community and church with more than usual revival. Quite a number
of lives, especially young people, became changed and established in
God's word and His power. One of these young persons was Wendell
Santee. (He and I grew up together, though I was just a little older.)
In the following years he and his wife Verla faithfully worshiped and
served in the church and reared their family in a Christian home.
Willingness 71
Some time ago in a freak accident Wendell fell from a ladder.

He twisted his right leg and snapped off the bones just above the
ankle. The bones dug into dirt about six inches deep.. In severe pain
and in fear of amputation he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.
Later he was transfered to another hospital and then to a third. The
weeks passed. In tender love and at great cost his family gave of their
time and care to be with him. Complications set in--multiple
infections and surgeries, muscle and skin grafts, esophagus ulcer,
pneumonia, blood clots. He became worse. Death seemed imminent.
One night at his bedside daughter Nancy brought comfort as
she softly sang hymns. Then the Lord appeared to him in a vision and
spoke, "Wendell, my son, you can come up here with me right now,
or you can stay right there with your family." Hardly able to speak,
Wendell responded in his heart. "Lord, your will be done." Wendell
is still alive to share his testimony, "I never realized how peaceful it
was to be at death's door. Truly the Lord our Shepherd walks with us
through the valley of the shadow of death."2
We can merely repeat the words of the Lord's Prayer. How
much greater it is to live or die with that yieldedness to God, "Your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven." On earth--yes, and in my
heart!
1
Memoirs of Rev. Charles G. Finney written by himself, pp.307-310.
Fleming H. Revell Co., New York c 1903.
2
Rewritten from Damascus Friends Church newsletter.
Meditations--Day 18
PULL TO THE SHORE
Imagine yourself out on the lake in your boat, You have been
fishing or just enjoying the shimmering water. Now it's time to head
for the shore. You start the motor and steer toward the dock. As you
near, you cut off the motor (or stop rowing) and start gliding. Then
when several feet away you take your looped rope and toss it over a
large post. As the rope tightens, you begin to pull. The boat slides
safely into place. You have done this for two purposes. One is to
keep from drifting away from the shore. The writer to the Hebrews
emphasized: "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the
things we have heard, lest we drift away" (Hebrews 2:1.) Praying
"Your will be done" is like that. It helps to prevent drifting away
from God.
The other purpose is suggested beautifully by the late Dr. E.
Stanley Jones in his book A Song of Ascents. I quote: "Do I pull the
shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling
God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God."1
When we are right with our Lord, as this prayer implies, we
are saying "Yes", not to some hard-hearted despot but to our "Father
in heaven" and to His highest and best will. He is a Father whose
boundless love and perfect wisdom we can fully trust.
The will of God, so planned by such a Father, should be not
bitter medicine but blessed mission. God's will is something not to
endure but to embrace.
Please don't get me wrong. The Christian life is not all
"peaches and cream." It is not ease and luxury. It is certainly not life
with my pampered self at the center. It is a warfare with Satan and
darkness. The Christian life is for soldiers, not softies. However, I
would much rather go through fire and flood with God than fun and
fame without Him.
God's way is better than ours, much better! God tells us in
Isaiah 55:9, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My
ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
More than forty years ago I was the invited guest speaker for
Spiritual Emphasis Week at Friends Bible College, Haviland, Kansas,
now known as Barclay College. A number of ministers and
missionaries have gone out from that school to bless the church and
the world. Among them are Willard and Doris Ferguson, now in
home ministry after serving in the troubled African country of
Rwanda. They have several children. God has richly blessed them
and their family. One son, Sam, a recent graduate from Wheaton
College, has worked with the well-known Christian service
organization, Samaritan's Purse. About three years ago Willard and
Doris were morning worship speakers one Sunday in my home
church in Ohio. My wife and I were present.
After the service I talked with Willard and told him of my
ministry years earlier at Barclay. He had been a student at that time at
Barclay or FBC. We compared dates. He stated that he does not
remember my being there. (If I had an ego bubble, it burst.) Then he
added what was important. He told me, "That had to be at about the
time that I fully yielded to the Lord."
By God's grace Willard Ferguson "pulled himself to the
shore," and never drifted away. Or perhaps it would be better to say
that he allowed God to pull him to the shore.
Pull To The Shore 75
1
E. Stanley Jones, A Song of Ascents, What Life Has Taught Me--So Far, p.
383. Abingdon Press, Nashville and New York, c 1968.
Meditations--Day 19
BREAD--AND MORE
At this point we are moving from the kingdom to the kitchen,

from the soul to the body. This was too big a step for some of the
early church fathers in their study of the Lord's Prayer. Even Erasmus
of the sixteenth century thought that a request for literal bread had no
place in "so heavenly a prayer."1 Surely this was too mundane. So
what were the comments of such men? They spiritualized this
petition. They declared that Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray
for spiritual food.
Well, we certainly should ask for nourishment for the soul--
when we take up the Bible to read, when we enter that Sunday School
class, when we see our pastor walk into the pulpit. Poet Mary A.
Lathbury expressed it this way,
"Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea."
Jesus did break the loaves. That's just the point. He is
touched with the feelings of our infirmities, including a growling
stomach, or far worse, an undernourished, even starving, emaciated
body. While on earth our Savior manifested His concern for people,
with all of their needs. In compassion Jesus' ministry included not
only teaching and preaching but also healing and shepherding. He
miraculously fed thousands of people who had become weary and
hungry as they listened to His message. Jesus' first miracle was to
provide "the best wine" at a wedding reception.
Late on Easter Day the resurrected Jesus blessed the bread
and ate with some of His friends at Emmaus. Apparently this was so
characteristic of Jesus that in such a moment they recognized Him
(Luke 24.) In another post-resurrection appearance Jesus not only
directed Peter and his fishing buddies amazingly to bring in a big haul
of fish. He also prepared breakfast for them after their long night of
frustration. He knew that they were tired, hungry, and perhaps
"broke." They needed food to eat and fish to sell.
Jesus knows your needs and mine. Spiritual? Yes!
Physical? Certainly. He wants us to ask Him to supply both. For this
reason He gave us the Lord's Prayer.
According to Oswald C.J. Hoffman, "Our Lord's Prayer is not
an invitation to laziness." We ask our Father for that which we
cannot get without Him and His gifts of time, health, brain, muscle,
sun, rain, or the opportunities to work.2
I believe that by asking for "daily bread" we are praying
about other concerns besides food on the table or a paycheck in the
hand. The great reformer Martin Luther believed that "daily bread" in
the Lord's Prayer meant "everything necessary to the support and
comfort of existence, as food and raiment, house and land, money and
goods, a kind spouse, good children, faithful servants, righteous
magistrates, good weather, peace, health, honor, true friends, good
neighbors, and the like." Therefore we can present to the Lord all of
the burdens and problems of our lives, large and small.3
We have retired missionary friends who for a time served in
the African country of Liberia. In that land the national Christians
learned to pray the Lord's Prayer. Actually, those devout people
offered that Prayer not just once but two and three times in every
service. It was a prayer of great earnestness and even almost
desperation. At that time many of those dear folk often did not know
from where their next meal would come.
Bread—And More 79
For a long time Bible scholars were puzzled by the word here
translated "daily." They weren't quite sure what it meant. Then one
day someone unearthed an ancient papyrus fragment, evidently a
housewife's shopping list, bearing this word. Apparently she was
going to buy food for either that very day or the next.4
Purchasing food had to be done daily, because of the lack of
preservatives and refrigeration. In many countries this is true even
today. The housewife or one of the children goes to the market every
morning. So this part of the Lord's Prayer is a request for today or
tomorrow, not necessarily for long-term security.
However, without anxiety, some praying and planning for the
future, according to God's will, is doubtless right and proper.
Also the little word "us" is significant. The Prayer is not
"give me" but "give us our daily bread." In so doing I am praying for
others and their needs. I am asking God to give strength and healing
to their bodies, uplift to their spirits, foundations for their faith,
guidance for their confusion. I include them as I pray that there will
be money to help pay their bills. That "us" is a vital word of unselfish
outreach.
1
William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible, Revised Edition. The Gospel of
Matthew, Vol. 1, pp. 216, 217. The Westminster Press, Philadelphia. c
1975.
2
C.J. Hoffman, The Lord's Prayer, p. 51. Harper & Row Publishers, San
Francisco; 10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022. c 1982.
3
Elton Trueblood, The Lord's Prayers, p. 53. Harper & Row Publishers,
New York, Evanston, and London c 1965.
4
Hurd Allen Drake,"Our Father", p. 52. Higley Press, Butler IN c 1949.
Meditations--Day 20
ANSWERS TO PRAYER
Years ago we moved about fifty miles to begin another

pastoral service. We sold our old junky piano for perhaps fifteen or
twenty dollars. Next, we needed a better one. Our middle son Walter
had taken piano lessons since pre-school. By this time he was so
proficient that the piano professor in a nearby college, upon hearing
him play, agreed to teach him, even though Walter was only an eighth
grader. But of course we must have a piano. Yet our money was
very limited.
As a family we were accustomed to reading the Bible and
praying together before going to bed. One night each person around
the circle asked God to help us find the right piano.
When Walter went for his next lesson, his professor told him
to let us know that their next door neighbor and family were moving
to California. They wanted to sell their piano rather than move it.
The price was seventy-five dollars. We promptly went to see and
hear the piano, and closed the deal. Now it wasn't a Steinway. There
were some scratches, and there would be more. But later more than
one tuner bragged about that instrument. One called it "a Cadillac of
pianos."
Walter went on to Eastman School of Music. He is now a
full professor of piano at Arizona State University. But on occasional
visits to home he still played that piano. My wife and I did too. It has
served us well. Only recently we gave it to our granddaughter.
Our youngest son Watson was a youth pastor. He also
occasionally went to see elderly folk. This included dear Margaret

Chambers. On one such visit Margaret asked, "Watson, do you know
anything about sewing machines? Mine is just not working right."
"Why yes," he replied. "For a little while I worked for a
Singer dealer. Let's see what I can do." So with a rag, an oil can, and
a screw driver he soon had Margaret's sewing machine purring again.
"You know, Watson, just this morning I prayed, 'Lord, please
send someone along who can fix my sewing machine.'"
One summer day our two younger sons Walter and Watson
were still living at home and working. In pastoral service I was away
for the afternoon. Suddenly my wife Mary felt an urgent burden to
pray. The Holy Spirit seemed to be speaking to her, "One of your
sons is in danger!" Walter was across the highway mowing in a
cemetery park. Watson was helping a neighboring farmer. Mary
thought the warning must have to do with Walter and his operation of
lawn equipment. She thought of his "piano fingers" and the danger of
injuring or losing a hand. Obeying the Spirit's prompting, she
stopped housework, hurried to a bedside and poured out her soul in
prayer. Soon the burden lifted.
About fifteen minutes later Watson staggered into the house.
His shirt was in shreds. Red streaks scarred his chest. Alarmed, my
wife cried out, "What has happened?" He explained that at the nearby
farm he had been placing bales of hay on the sloping elevator, which
was powered by the running tractor. For some reason he stumbled,
catching his sleeve in the power take-off. The twirling wheel
immediately jerked his shirt and arm down against the machinery.
He desperately yelled for help. Another twist or two and his arm
would have been pulled from its socket. A boy standing nearby
dashed to the tractor and just in time turned off the switch. Mother
Mary asked, "How long ago did this happen? Watson replied, "About
Answers to Prayer 83
fifteen minutes ago."

Fortunately Watson's wounds were somewhat superficial. He
was able to go back to work the next day.
The lessons are important. Live so close to the Lord as to
hear His voice--and obey. Also, live a life of prayer so as to be able
to pray about daily bread, and other needs, even when they are not
emergencies.
Meditations--Day 21
CHUNKS AND BITS
I like to think that the use of incense in Old Testament

worship is illustrative. It was associated with prayer.
David in Psalm 141:2 addressed God,
"Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
Before John the Baptist was conceived, in Luke chapter one,
the priest Zechariah was offering incense in the Temple. "And the
whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of
incense" (Luke 1:10.) In Revelation 8:3 and 4, an "angel, having a
golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much
incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon
the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the
incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the
angel's hand." In Exodus 30:7 and 8 the priest was instructed to offer
incense every morning and every evening (good times to pray.) That
chapter also includes directions as to how the priest was to make the
incense. Then he was to "beat some of it very small" (v. 36 KJV.)
This suggests something to me. In life there are big "chunks"
or major decisions. They include where to live and work, what
college to choose, what career to pursue. One of the most important
is the choice of a life's mate. Also Christians surely need to find
God's will regarding a church fellowship, a place of worship and
service, and a suitable community for rearing one's children.
Years ago I had a farmer friend, hard-working and successful.
One day his older brother, also a farmer, gave him this advice. "Why
don't you buy a big bunch of little pigs? (Do pigs come in bunches?)
You can fatten them, sell them, and make some money." So my
friend accepted the suggestion and bought the piglets.
Those pigs, or hogs, ate and ate some more, and grew and
grew. After while they were about ready for market. Just then the
workers at the packing house went on strike.
Those pigs, or hogs, ate and ate more, and became even
larger. They continued to eat until all the profits were gone. By the
end of the strike those hogs were too huge to bring the best price. My
friend sent them to market--and lost money.
Afterwards he thought, "Well, I took my brother's advice.
But I never really prayed about it. I never asked God what He wanted
me to do."
That reminds me of Joshua and the leaders of Israel who
really "got taken" by the tricky neighboring Gibeonites in Joshua
chapter nine. God's plan was for Israel to destroy those pagan people
of Gibeon. However, the Gibeonites dressed up in old ragged clothes
and carried moldy bread and worn-out wine bottles. With a big lie
they convinced Joshua and his staff that they had come a long way.
Instead they lived almost next door. The Israelites entered into a
binding agreement with them to spare them, all because they did not
"ask counsel of the Lord." (v. 14.)
There are also much smaller situations that are, nevertheless,
worthy of prayer. Of course this does not mean that while passing
through a cafeteria line I have to pray whether to choose jello or
chocolate pudding. But our God is mindful about our daily concerns,
sometimes frustrations, and our need for wisdom. For instance, I
often ask God for an empty space in a crowded parking garage.
I recently misplaced an important set of keys for the car,
Chunks And Bits 87
house, garage, mower, lock box, and more. My wife and I looked
"high and low." Then seemingly the Holy Spirit spoke with definite
instruction. Inwardly I responded, "No, that can't be." But I followed
those directions. Yes! There were those keys.
So we all have needs, problems, decisions. Some are large,
some are less. Let's not be ashamed to bring to God all of these,
whether big or small, daily bread or daily budget, lessons at school or
nuts and bolts on the job, and more. We can do this when we pray the
Lord's Prayer, and many other prayers.
Meditations--Day 22
GRACE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS
"Forgive us our sins" (Luke 11:4a.)

"Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus
Christ our Lord." (1 Timothy 1:2b.)
Someone has said: "Grace is receiving what we do not
deserve; mercy is not receiving what we do deserve."
The sweetest words that Jesus ever spoke are: "Friend, your
sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20b NIV.) Even though I was only a
small boy, I still remember my sense of release and peace when I
realized that Jesus had forgiven my sins.
The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven." At the
heart of the Prayer is the request, "Forgive us our sins," following our
asking "Your kingdom come." The apostle Paul explains in
Colossians 1:12--14 that we are to give "thanks to the Father who has
qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into
the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Let us always keep in
mind that sin is no trifle. It cost Heaven the supreme price, the shed
blood of our Savior. We had better not speak glibly the four words,
"Forgive us our sins."
One of God's great promises is found in I John 1:9, "If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." There are many other
wonderful, gracious promises. "All unrighteousness" should include
not just sinful deeds but sinful traits.

Confession is more than admission. Our first parent admitted
that he had eaten the forbidden fruit. But then he immediately began
finger-pointing. He blamed his wife, and indirectly blamed God with
the words, "the woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me
of the tree, and I ate" (Genesis 3:12.) Confession involves taking
one's full responsibility. The word "confess" means "to say the same
as." It is the Greek word "homologeo." "Logeo" is "to speak words."
"Homo" means "the same." (We get the word "homogenized" from
the fact that our milk is the same throughout, not rich cream on top
and skim milk underneath.) Put "homo" and "logeo" together.
"Homologeo" involves "speaking the same thing." The same as
what? The same as that which God is declaring. To confess is to
state the same thing about ourselves and our sins or sin as that which
God is saying.
We use a similar reasoning in other areas of life. At our
weddng ceremony over a half century ago my minister brother-in-law
announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Ever after,
when I introduce that dearest person, I say, "I want you to meet my
wife Mary." Why? The answer is simple though profound. Through
the officiating minister God declared that Mary is my wife. I say
what God says.
Also to confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus (Romans
10:9) is to affirm about Him the same fact that God has declared,
"Jesus is my Savior and risen Lord."
Meditations--Day 23
TRESPASSES, DEBTS, SINS
At Princess Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey the

officiating minister led the people in offering "traditional Anglican
prayers"1, including the Lord's Prayer. In the English-speaking world
probably the wording most often used in that Prayer is "And forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
However, it may seem surprising that we do not find this oft-
quoted phrase in most translations of the Bible. Matthew's account
reads, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." In Luke
the words are "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone
that is indebted to us." From where then did our custom of reciting
the word "trespasses" come? Probably its source is the Church of
England Prayer Book.2
Matthew's account does use the word "trespasses" when Jesus
added in verses 14 and 15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses."
Scholar Marvin Vincent comments: "There is no difficulty in
supposing that Christ, contemplating sins in general, should represent
them by different terms expressive of different aspects of wrong-
doing ..."3
Yes, sin is a tremendous debt, one that we owe to God. We
have wronged Him. We are never able to pay for that wrong.
Because of our sin, our cost to God is far higher than the human mind
can comprehend or imagine. The only adequate payment price was

God's Son.
Sin is "missing the mark," a departure from God's standard.
It is the exaltation of self in place of God. However we may describe
it, sin in God's sight is hideous and heinous. For this reason man
surely needs forgiveness. Hence Jesus instructs us to pray, "Forgive
us our sins."
In American life we have various kinds of licenses: marriage
license, driver's license, vendor's license, and many others.
What about Jesus' instruction in the Lord's Prayer to pray
"Forgive us our sins"? Have we taken this as a license to sin? Does
this give us a constant "out" for wrongdoing, a right to go ahead and
willfully, repeatedly disobey God? Does this mean that, knowing my
duty full well, I can in rebellion transgress and get by with it? Can I
grab God's promise of forgiveness by the blade instead of by the
handle by saying, "Well, I know it's wrong. But I'll go ahead and do
it. Then I'll ask Jesus to forgive me"? No! I am convinced
otherwise. In fact, the genuine Christian life is on a definitely higher
plane.
Too many folk have cheapened what it means to be "saved."
I'm reminded of the wag who told people, "Before I was saved, I stole
automobiles. Now I just steal tires."
The apostle John tells us in his first little epistle that the "Son
of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of
the devil (I John 3:8b NASB.) In the previous fifth verse he says,
"you know that He appeared in order to take away sins ..." In using
the Greek present or continuing tense, John, by the Holy Spirit, gives
no allowance for the "practice" of sin. Our almost thoughtless asking
for forgiveness from God can't be misused to whisk away
superficially our misdeeds. Do we have no urgent desire and purpose
Trespasses, Debts, Sins 93
to change and be changed? Then mouthing the words "Forgive us our

sins" is meaningless and almost a mockery. However, in I John 2:1
the writer John balances the truth by using the Greek "pointed" or
aorist tense. "My little children, these things I write to you, so that
you may not sin [continuing tense]. And if anyone sins [pointed
tense], we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous."
On the other hand, a true Christian, no matter how saintly,
should not think that he or she never needs to apologize or say "I'm
sorry," never needs humbly to ask God or man for forgiveness. We
are badly mistaken if we think that this part of the Lord's Prayer does
not apply personally.
I knew a fellow minister who was a very effective soul
winner and pastor of a growing congregation. I was acquainted with
the gracious revival that "broke out" in his church and continued for
months. It began at a prayer meeting when the Holy Spirit spoke to
him, "Tonight don't call for testimonies. Instead, have confessions.
And you start it." Then God reminded him that at times he was
seriously guilty of overeating. This fault had caused him to have
more than one heart attack. The Holy Spirit added, "And call it SIN."
This man of God obeyed. Soon others humbly followed. In the
following weeks many of the ensuing services went well beyond the
limits of the clock and the order in the bulletin. There were many
honest confessions, restitutions, restorations. Attendance increased.
Revival came. Lives were changed.
1
"Newsweek", Sept. 15, 1997, pp. 32, 33. Volume CXXX, No.11.
Newsweek, Inc. 251 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019, 1894, c1997.
2
Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. 1,
p. 54. Broadman Press, Nashville. c 1930 by S.S. Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention.
3
Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, Volume 1, p. 44.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan, c 1946.
Meditations--Day 24
TALE OF TWO GOATS
At a very early point after their exodus from Egypt God gave
to His people the Israelites an object lesson about sin, forgiveness,
and cleansing. In Leviticus chapter 16 we find the tale of two goats.
The priest killed one goat and sprinkled its blood in the Tent
of Meeting. This ceremony pointed across the centuries to the Cross
and the Blood that Jesus in His death would give for our pardon and
purity.
The priest also took the other goat and placed his hands on its
head. He was then to "confess over it all the iniquities of the children
of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting
them on the head of the goat" (verse 21). Some appointed person
then led the unfortunate animal away, out into the desert so far that
the poor creature could not find its way back. Hopefully the man
didn't get lost. Or maybe he pushed the scrambling, kicking victim
over some cliff to its death. The next verse tells us that this scapegoat
carried on itself all of the confessed sins of the people. Figuratively,
it took them away. They were gone. As a result God announced,
"You may be clean from all your sins before the Lord."
In like manner, Jesus took our sins upon Himself and took
them away. What a wonderful reality! This is the GOOD NEWS!
This is the Gospel. I think the apostle Peter must have become
excited when he wrote about Christ in I Peter 2:24, that He "bore our
sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might
live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed." However,
the sins were taken away when and only when they were confessed.
Of course, God does not withhold forgiveness just because in poor
memory we might have forgotten to mention some wrongdoing from
the past.
Confession should also include those sins that are not just
wrong deeds but ugly dispositions, jealousies, selfish attitudes as well
as sinful acts.
A lady came forward in the closing invitation of a revival
meeting where I preached. She prayed audibly, "Lord, take out of my
heart my pride and selfishness." That is honesty and humility.
I believe that provisionally Jesus bore or carried upon
Himself these carnal traits. But He waits for us to confess.
We need to do some real soul-searching when we pray
"Fogive us our sins" or "our debts." The Holy Spirit may put His
finger on critical spirits, unkind attitudes, prayerlessness, self-
centeredness, and other spiritual failures.
Meditations--Day 25
"AS WE FORGIVE"
My wife Mary is a good cook and baker. When preparing a

casserole or bread or dessert, especially from a new recipe, she goes
back over her work. "Now did I leave out anything? Did I make any
mistake?"
After the Lord's Prayer Jesus added, in Matthew 6:14 and 15,
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Jesus would have us go over His instructions for our prayers.
He is cautioning, warning, "You must include a forgiving spirit
toward those who have wronged you. Do not omit that all-important
ingredient. Thoroughly stir it into your petitions. Let it dissolve into
all of life."
This was not the only time in Jesus' ministry devoted to this
emphasis. In Matthew eighteen Jesus told the story of a king who had
a servant. The latter owed the king ten thousand talents. A talent was
a unit of money, so let's call it ten million dollars. (I have read more
than one evaluation in American currency.) The servant must have
been a very reckless spender. Anyway, he was hopelessly in debt to
the king. He could never have worked hard enough or lived long
enough to clear it. To pay, ever, was beyond his reach. In
desperation he presented his case to the king. Mercifully the ruler
erased this debt from the books and told him to go free.
Soon afterward this same servant was walking down the
street (so we can imagine.) He ran into someone with whom he had
done a little business. This friend still owed him twenty dollars. The
newly forgiven servant demanded, "Okay, pal, hand over the twenty
bucks you owe me, and do it now." "W-w-well, I'd like to. But I'm
really broke. I'm sorry. Just give me a little more time. Please!" But
Mr. Servant wouldn't listen. He grabbed his victim by the collar and
marched him off to the authorities and the debtor's prison.
News got back to the king, who became aghast, even furious.
"How could he do such a thing?" All of the king's compassion toward
his servant drained away. The ruler hunted him down and had him
jailed. From that moment on he considered his unforgiving servant to
be unforgiven.
Contrast what we have done to Jesus. How have we wronged
Him, hindered His kingdom, thwarted His purposes, spoiled His plan,
kept Him from receiving the glory that should have been His? That's
like the ten million dollars. The so-called "dirty deal" by which
someone didn't treat us right is more like the twenty dollars.
Remember, forgiveness toward others is basically not a
certain kind of feeling. It is a choice! How then can I say I can't
forgive? By God's grace and supernatural power and love I can
forgive! And I do! How about you?
I have a friend whose husband was brutally murdered while
stopped in city traffic. No one quite knows why. Were the criminal
and his accomplice on drugs? Another conjecture was that the two
wanted to join a gang. One requirement may have been to kill
somebody. The authorities captured those two desperadoes. The
court tried and imprisoned them. The grief-stricken widow told her
family that she forgave those wicked men, and added, "We need to
pray for them." She then arranged for Chuck Colson's Prison
Fellowship to contact and reach them with the gospel.1
“As We Forgive” 99
Burundi is located in central Africa. Unfortunately at times

that land has been devastated by hatred, crime, and ethnic violence.
Thousands there have perished in civil war.
One of the national leaders in the Burundi Friends mission
was a capable, godly man named Binyoni (meaning "Big Bird.") He
was director of Friends Schools and principal of one of them. He was
chairman of the church board. A beautiful tenor, he had led the
singing for the Billy Graham Crusade in the capital city, Bujumbura.
One day some bloodthirsty rebels seized Binyoni. The
following day they took him out for execution. He made two
requests: one, that he be allowed to pray; the other, that he be
permitted to sing. What was his prayer? Like his Savior on the cross,
and like the martyr Stephen, Binyoni asked God to forgive his
murderers. The song was "Jesus, I Come," of which he rendered all
the verses. It closes with this:
"Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home, Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold, Into the peace of Thy
sheltering fold,
2
Ever Thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to Thee."
So moved and restrained were the members of the firing
squad that they refused to pull their triggers. Then their captain alone
raised his gun and fired the fatal shot.3
1
From a personal letter to the author.
2
"Jesus, I Come" by W. T. Sleeper and George C. Stebbins.
3
Told to the author by a missionary from his denomination.
Meditations--Day 26
TWINS
Forgiven! Forgiving! Inseparable twins.

Born in 1811 in the southeast Asian country of Siam, the
famous "Siamese twins" were actually Chinese. Named Eng and
Chang, they were joined by a large band of flesh just above their
stomachs. This connection was flexible in their childhood, enabling
them to run and play and swim. Of course they had to do things
together, even though each had his own brain, face, heart, stomach,
and other bodily parts.
Because they aroused great curiosity, they were brought to
America for show business. For a time Phineas Barnum of circus
fame employed them. In order to become American citizens, here
they received the name Bunker.
Eng and Chang courted two sisters, the Yates girls. For
obvious reasons these prospective husbands wanted to be separated
surgically. Because in those days even the experts lacked modern x-
rays and medical knowledge and techniques, they all finally gave up
the idea. Instead, these twins, still joined, were married in 1843.
They built two houses a mile apart in White Plains, North Carolina,
near Mt. Airy. For the rest of their lives they spent three days at one
home, then three days at the other. Each twin had several children.
One granddaughter and one great-granddaughter were members of a
church that I pastored a few years ago.
Early in January, 1874, Chang contracted severe bronchitis,
with chest pains. Disregarding illness and bad weather, at the
appointed third day they moved in open carriage from Chang's to

Eng's house. Chang became worse. During early morning hours of
January 17 Chang died. When Eng awoke and realized what had
happened, he exclaimed, "My last hour is come!"
With foresight the family had earlier arranged that when one
of the twins should die, someone would contact the doctor. He would
come and try to separate the bodies surgically, in hopes that the other
would live a while longer. That morning the family summoned the
doctor in Mt. Airy. But communication and travel were slow. Eng
slipped into a coma. The physician never arrived in time. Just two
hours after Eng learned about the death of the "other" body, to which
he was attached, he too passed away.1
Modern surgeons occasionally with success separate recent
"siamese twins," even soon after birth. However, the original
Siamese twins are an apt illustration of the truth we are considering.
Our forgiveness from God and our forgiveness toward others
are like those early Siamese twins-- inseparable. They stand or fall
together. When the one dies, so also does the other. No wonder Jesus
at the close of the Lord's Prayer clearly announced in Matthew 6:15,
" But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive
your sins" (NIV.)
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on
tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing
with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a
complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also
must do. But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of
perfection." (Colossians 3:12--14.)
1
From Kay Hunter, Duet for a Lifetime. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York,
c1964. First American Ed. 1964; and from "The Mount Airy News Progress
Twins 103
Edition", Mt. Airy NC 27030,, March 29,1992, an article by R. J. Berrier

entitled "Siamese Twins Find Surry Home."
Meditations--Day 27
AWAY FROM TEMPTATION
I don't remember much of my first year geometry course. But

one axiom is: A straight line is the shortest distance between two
points.
Under Moses' direction the people of Israel had just escaped
many years of Egyptian tyranny and slavery. In a tragic blunder their
hard-hearted captors tried to force the Israelites' return, only by God's
judgment to be drowned themselves in mire and sea water.
Now what?
The shortest route to the Israelites' "promised land" was in a
northeasterly direction, right toward Canaan territory. However, in
infinite wisdom and love God headed them toward the southeast.
Why? He was leading them "not into temptation." He was directing
them away from danger that was physical, emotional, and spiritual.
"God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although
that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps the people change their
minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.' So God led the
people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (Exodus
13:17b and 18.) A decision to reenter Egypt would have been in
complete opposition to God's will. It would have been disastrous.
This event happened some fourteen centuries before Jesus
instructed His disciples to pray, "Do not lead us into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). This prayer means
"Lead us away from temptation!"
Does God intend for you and me as Christians to escape all
trials and temptations? The Bible doesn't teach that. However, there
may be some of Satan's traps too big, or too subtle, or too
overwhelming for me to handle, even by the grace of God. I can't
fight the battle against wrong on my own. I am not smart enough,
cunning enough, strong enough. I am not able to choose my
temptations.
The story is told about a man who was offered the chance to
select one of three temptations. They were adultery, murder, and
drunkenness. He thought the first two were just too gross, too
shameful. So he chose the third, which was drunkenness. And while
intoxicated he gave way to lust and rage and committed all three.
Praying this part of the Lord's Prayer means asking for God's
help, strength, and grace. It is a humbling confession of our
inadequacy, our need for God. It involves the tender cry of the hymn
writer,
"I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power When Thou art nigh."1
When Jesus instructed His disciples to ask, "Lead us not into
temptation," He was looking beyond the immediate situation. He
anticipated the later confrontation with Peter, who in almost a cocky
mood declared, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You"
(Matthew 26:35.) As we know, Peter shamefully failed. Jesus also
forsaw the unpreparedness of the inner circle (Peter, James, and John)
in Gethsemane. He knew that they needed to pray in order to avoid
temptation. For the same reason we also need to pray.
C.S. Lewis has declared, "There is no neutral ground in the
universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God
and counterclaimed by Satan."2 Satan is still utterly viciously
opposed to God's work. In fact, Revelation 12:12b (NIV) may apply
to Satan in our time. "He is filled with fury, because he knows that
Away From Temptation 107
his time is short." Hence we need to pray "Deliver us from the evil
one."
1
"I Need Thee Every Hour" by Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry.
2
Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read, p. 65. Zondervan Publishing House,
Grand Rapids MI 49530. c 1999.
Meditations--Day 28
DELIVERANCE—PLUS
You may have heard of the man in prayer meeting who had a
certain routine. Almost always he ended his prayer with, "O Lord,
brush the cobwebs from our souls." Finally some courageous
participant broke out with an addition, "O Lord, kill the spider!"
It's great to be forgiven! God has given us a wonderful
promise from Himself in I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins ..." But the verse doesn't stop
there. We need something more drastic and durable. The promise
includes, "and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Let us consider Luke's record of the Lord's Prayer in its
context (the text beyond the text). In the next verses Jesus told the
story of the man who disturbed his neighbor by awakening him and
persistently asking for bread. He finally got results to meet a real
need.
Don't we have a need deeper than forgiveness? Let's
recognize that we do.
Jesus then told the story about the person with an "unclean
spirit" (Luke 11:24.) It takes one stronger to "cast him out." That
stronger Person is Christ. However, the man thus delivered from evil
stopped too short. The unclean spirit went hunting. He solicited
other unclean spirits, seven in fact, to come join him. Together they
all ganged up and reentered the person once delivered from evil. The
"last state of that man" was "worse than the first" (verse 26.)
What went wrong?
Simply this! It isn't enough to be forgiven. We need to be

cleansed. It isn't sufficient just to be emptied. We surely need to be
filled. Notice the next verses where Jesus explained: "So I say unto
you, ask, and it will be given unto you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ...
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
those who ask Him!" (vs 9--13.)
When the tempter comes knocking at the door of one's heart,
trying to gain entrance, just send the Holy Spirit to the door.
We also need to help answer our prayers. We need strategies
to avoid evil.
I knew a young student at a Christian college. After her first
year she decided to change to a secular university. She moved into
the dormitory. One day she entered another co-ed's room. There on
the wall was a large picture of the devil. Now who knows what the
devil looks like? I suppose that this one had fiendish eyes, split
hoofs, and a pitch-fork. This Christian girl instantly expressed her
shock, and asked why. The reply was, "Oh, he tells me what to do."
My young friend promptly reversed her choice and returned to the
Christian school and its superior atmosphere.1
No, I am not for a moment suggesting that no Christian
should ever attend a secular or state-supported university. Surely God
has His individualized plan for each life, including one's education.
However, there are times when we need to do more than pray for
deliverance. We need to help answer our prayers by separating
ourselves from evil.
1
As told to the author by the girl's grandmother.
Meditations--Day 29
THE EVIL ONE
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"
(Ephesians 6:12.)
The petition "deliver us from evil" can just as accurately be
translated "deliver us from the evil one" (NKJV and NIV.) That
fiendish person is very real, and very subtle.
There are myriads of fallen angels or demons. There is one
leader of them all, the devil, Satan, or Lucifer. We need to pray for
protection or deliverance from him, as well as his hosts.
God in His Word gives us some clear warnings about the
devil and his tricks. The apostle Paul in II Corinthians11:14 (NIV)
cautions us that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."
Peter gives us further insight in I Peter 5:8 and 9a: "Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith,
..."
We are in an escalating war against Satan. We who love
Christ are going to have to put up a fiercer, more potent fight to
remain clean and strong and to rescue sinners and disciple Christians.
Our age is no time for "business as usual."
More than a century and a half ago a man named Charles
Finney was a Spirit-filled evangelist, much used of God in New York
and surrounding States. At that time under a certain pastor the church
at Stephentown, New York, had badly declined. Finally that pastor

declared that he himself was an infidel. Other pastors followed, who
apparently didn't do much better. (Their salaries were paid through
the estate of a deceased man of wealth.) Eventually there were only
half a dozen church-goers in the town. According to Finney the
community was a "moral waste."
However, there was one godly, praying woman who was
determined that conditions would change. She contacted Charles
Finney. At her insistence Finney consented to go to Stephentown and
preach. Arrangements were made and a service announced. When a
young convert at New Lebanon offered to take Mr. Finney to
Stephentown, Finney asked him if he had a "steady" horse. Assuring
him that he did, the owner inquired, "Why do you ask?" Finney
replied, "If the Lord wants me to go to Stephentown, the devil will
prevent it if he can; and if you have not a steady horse, he will try to
make him kill me." Strangely enough, on this trip the horse ran away
twice "and came near killing us." The owner expressed great
astonishment, saying that he had never known such a thing before.
A genuine revival broke out at Stephentown, changing lives
and bringing back spiritual vigor to the church. Evidently Satan had
tried to thwart this by attempting to prevent the evangelist from
going.1
Wesley L. Duewel was a missionary to India for twenty-five
years before becoming president of OMS International. In his book
Touch the World Through Prayer he tells of satanic opposition.
"During our first term in India, it seemed that every time I left home
for an extended evangelistic or ministry trip, Satan attacked my
family through accident or illness. These incidents became so
frequent that my wife would say as I left, 'Well, I wonder what will
happen this time.' I would assure her that God would protect the
The Evil One 113
family, that Christ's blood would cover them, and not to fret or worry.
But invariably, each time I was away, something would happen. This
continued until some time later, when a church in London prayed one
night. Afterward, the chain of incidents stopped for fifteen years.
Other missionaries have given similar testimonies."2
I realize that some ministers and their followers place too
much emphasis on demons and the devil's opposition, Such
extremists seemingly are always looking for a demon under every
bush or tree. Some of these folk blame the devil if a fuse blows, a
bulb burns out, the lawn mower won't start, and many other
aggravations. Just because things don't work out just the way we had
hoped does not necessarily involve satanic opposition. "Evil is not
synonymous with people who disagree with us, or even with people
who seem not to like us. Life always has its tensions. One need not
interpret the common struggles of life as always being against evil.
Another thing evil is not is disappointment. While we plan and hope
for the best, it doesn't always happen--at least not as we envisioned it.
... One of life's paradoxes is that what we perceive as failure and
gloom often turns out to be the means of God's blessing in disguise."3
We need a sane approach. If I stub my toe, it may be that I
am just awkward and not that the devil is attacking me. Life has its
bumps and bruises for all people, not just for Christians.
However, let's face it. There are myriads of demons. They
are real. They are powerful in their opposition to Christ and to
Christians. Therefore we need to pray, "Deliver us from the evil one."
1
Memoirs of Rev. Charles G. Finney, pp. 226-229. Fleming H. Revell
Company, New York, c 1903.
2
Wesley L. Duewel, Touch the World Through Prayer, p. 124. Francis
Asbury Press of Zondervan Publishing House, 1415 Lake Drive, S.E.,
Grand Rapids, Michigan c 1986.
3
"Evangelical Friend," March/April 1993. Vol. XXVI, No. 4, p. 4, "Hitting
Evil from All Sides," by Paul Anderson. P.O. Box 232, Newberg, Oregon
97132.
Meditations--Day 30
"IN HIS MIGHTY NAME"
Demon possession is real, not just in remote jungles or in the

vicinity of pagan temples. It probably is much more prevalent here in
America than we realize. Self-destruction, mass suicide, drug
obsession, blind obedience to some defiant cultist, individual torment,
or crime--all of these point in the direction of demonic control.
I have a missionary friend who has recently entered semi-
retirement. He, with his wife, has been greatly blessed and used in
God’s service. But his youthful days were marred by ignorance, sin,
and family strife. He started “doing drugs.” Soon he became
addicted. That enslavement led to actual demon possession. Finally
in a wonderful way Christ came into this young man’s life. There
came a moment of physical and spiritual deliverance. The victory
was definitely spiritual. But there was an actual physical sound and
sensation when the demon came out and departed. This man’s heart
and attitude were drastically changed. Before, he had hated his dad.
Now there was the beginning of respect and love.
For years the Evangelical Friends denomination has had
missionary work in Burundi and Rwanda, an area of central Africa
long under Satan’s control. Paul Thornburg, with his wife Leona,
was a veteran missionary to those two African countries.
A young girl named Drocas was a student in the local high
school. Claiming to be a Christian, she was enrolled in the Bible
class, which met twice a week. But at this time in the medical center
she lay in a coma. Her family and a couple other students urgently
sent for missionary Paul to come.

“Drocas lay as one dead save for slow regular breathing.”
Her family and friends stood around, as the missionary tried to arouse
her. Calling her by name he urged, “Drocas, speak to me!” There
was no response. For some time she had gone without food or drink.
In this continuing unconsciousness she could not live very long.
The discerning missionary realized that this situation meant
one thing—demonic control. For long he had sensed severe satanic
activity. People of that area knew of such power. However, they did
not understand it and were unable to cope. In their superstition and
paganism many sought help from sickness, crop failure, sterility, and
many other problems. In vain they “bought” assistance by giving up
chickens, goats, and money.
Paul bent over again and called, “Drocas, do you hear me?”
Still no response. He clasped her limp hand. These were his
emphatic words, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of
Heaven and Earth, in whom all power resides, I command you foul
spirit of death and destruction to leave this girl.”
The response was immediate. She began to flail her hands
and legs as if trying to run away. He held her hand more firmly.
Someone else grabbed her feet. “Drocas, what is going on?” She
cried out, “They are after me, and then want to kill me.” Paul
responded, “They can’t have you. You belong to Jesus Christ. In His
name they have to go. We aren’t going to allow them to kill you.”
Repeating this prayer. This man of God once again claimed
Drocas for Jesus. She calmed down. Once again she was conscious.
The power of darkness was broken. Together they talked, and her
family prepared to take her home. A few days later Drocas was back
in school.
Missionary Thornburg attributed this miracle to “the
“In His Mighty Name” 117
wonderful power of Jesus Christ to break the power of evil.” Only by

that power had he and his wife been “able to live, much less work, in
the northern region of Rwanda.” He described the area as the seat of
witchcraft and worship of the feminine deity Nyabingi. He
acknowledged that the battle “had been real and persistent.”
However, he praised God for “the victory that overcomes the world”
(1 John 5:4.) He expressed his confidence that “He who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4.)1
This poses an important question. Is there any place of safety
and protection against the evil one? Certainly! It comes through the
mighty name of Jesus. For this very reason Jesus taught us to pray,
“Deliver us from the evil one.”
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
1
"Evangelical Friend", March/April 1993, Vol. XXVI, No. 4. Evangelical
Friends International North American Region. P.O. Box 232, Newberg, OR
97132.
Meditations--Day 31
DOXOLOGY
"For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever. Amen" (Matthew 6:13).
What a beautiful way to end this sacred, superb Prayer!
Yet is this the authentic ending? We have manuscripts but
not the original writings of the Biblical authors. Those manuscripts
that the scholars think to be the earliest do not include this cherished
doxology. In fact, most of our recent English translations omit this
verse or else refer to it only in the marginal notes.
This question turns us back to Jesus' purpose in giving us the
Lord's Prayer. If He gave it to us primarily to stimulate and guide our
private worship and supplication, a formal conclusion may seem
helpful but not necessary. In corporate worship, however, it is fitting
and desirable. Among early Jewish believers in Christ, such
doxologies were very common. One author has stated that it is "very
doubtful if the Lord's Prayer was ever used in Jewish circles without a
doxology ..."1
Similar words are found in King David's dedicatory prayer at
the coronation of his son Solomon. He addressed God, "Yours, O
Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the
majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the
kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all" (I
Chronicles 29:11).
As we pray the Lord's Prayer we go full circle. We begin
with worship, and we end that way. We exalt His kingdom, power,
and glory. We also remind God of our priorities, and that His
kingdom is more important than our own personal needs and desires.
We are expressing faith that our almighty God answers prayer
and produces results. We declare our dependence upon Him. In the
midst of our weakness He has strength and power to perform that for
which we ask. We say to God, "We are laying hold upon Your
might."
George Fox was born in England in 1624. When he was
about the age of 24, he received a mighty baptism by the Holy Spirit..
At that time he heard a voice saying, "There is one, even Christ Jesus,
that can speak to thy condition", and his heart did "leap for joy."2 He
soon became the founder and leader of Friends, or Quakers. Fox had
a very effective ministry across England and elsewhere, even into
colonial America. Regarding God's blessings upon his labors, he
often used the expression, "The power of God was over all."3
Let's make the Lord's Prayer our supplication for God to
manifest Himself, to place His power "over all."
"Thine is ... the glory ..." These closing words search deeply
into our motives for praying, and for doing God's work. God declares
in Isaiah 42:8, "I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will
not give to another, ..."
Recently I have been reading Billy Graham's life story Just
As I Am. I have been impressed with the determination of Billy
Graham, his wife, and other team members to ascribe to God the
credit and glory for that which has been accomplished through their
ministry. That is the way it should be.
Eternal consequences are involved when we pray the Lord's
Prayer. So with one big sweep of worship and wonder we speak
those words, "forever and ever."
At the end of the Doxology there is an important word,
Doxology 121
"Amen," A study of its meaning yields some treasures. In Numbers

5:22 "amen" is an expression of assent regarding marital faithfulness,
or the lack of it. Also there were occasions when the people of a
congregation were instructed to join with a unanimous "amen" to
God's warning against sin. This occurs repeatedly in Deuteronomy
27. When David offered a dedicatory prayer for the ark of the
covenant, the people responded with "Amen" and "Praise the Lord"
(1 Chronicles 16:36.) Inspired by the Holy Spirit, New Testament
writers occasionally emphasized, sealed, or ended their declarations
of truth with the word "Amen." An example is Peter's tribute to the
Lord Jesus Christ, "To Him be the glory both now and forever.
Amen." In His message to the churches Christ calls Himself "the
Amen, the Faithful and True Witness" (Revelation 3:14.)
"Amen" really means "Yes," whether in our yieldedness to
God or our confidence in His utter faithfulness to us. When we thus
end the praying of the Lord's Prayer, we had better seriously state
what we mean and wholeheartedly mean what we say.
What an emphatic, climactic way to conclude this greatest of
all, The Lord's Prayer!
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from

The Wesley Bible: New King James Version. Thomas Nelson
Publishers, Nashville. c 1982 and 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
1
The Pulpit Commentary, edited by Rev. H.D.M. Spence and Rev.Joseph S.
Exell. Matthew, Vol. 1. Expo by Rev. A. Lukyn Williams, p. 233. Funk &
Wagnalls Company, New York and Toronto 1913.
2
The Journal of George Fox edited by Rufus M. Jones. p. 82. Friends
United Press, Richmond, Indiana c 1976
3
Ibid., p. 274.

The Lord Prayer

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THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR TODAY

P.O. Box 349

Copyright ©2007 Rendel L. Cosand

My name is Rendel Cosand. I was born and reared in

Waldensian Christians, a reforming sect preceding the

In the heart of China, a Lisu innkeeper asked to be taught

Matthew 6:7 (just before the Lord's Prayer) needs to be counter-

devotional use by families, other groups, or individuals.

Have you ever been unusually impressed by someone's

Some manuscripts are shorter, not including the part

Regarding the Lord's Prayer, A. T. Robertson in his Word

THEN AND NOW

In Luke 11 Jesus was alone with His disciples. He had been

of the Eucharistic celebration." Jungmann traces the history of the

Caryl Matrisciana tells her life-story in her captivating work

cricket and pubs. Likewise, C. S. Lewis struggled to overcome the

“I believe in God the Father Almighty,--” We usually recite

A spoiled child may selfishly try to monopolize his or her

What about my father on earth? We called him "Papa."

law what particular household items each of them might eventually

ALL GOD'S CHILDREN?

The apostle Paul was an educated man, acquainted with

"FIRST THINGS FIRST"

I served as pastor in a southern State. In our church

more. We are submitting ourselves to God in full consecration.

The Lord's Prayer leads us to draw near to God, become close

LIPS AND HEARTS

A few years ago one of our young neighbors was a student in

"Adult language." What a shame! I am an adult. I have

Unite my heart to fear Your name."

KINGS AND KINGDOMS

denunciations against a national leader or president. Perhaps it would

I have a friend who is a semi-retired career missionary. He

sweet (or maybe not so sweet) now and now."

THE KINGDOM AND MISSIONS

Praying for God's kingdom to come includes prayer for

as the waters cover the sea."1

Film may be a chief means of this accomplishment.

Those three simple words "Your Kingdom come" can just

joined together in a "union revival." "This meeting was attended by a

twentieth century a great revival began in a village called Barvas and

week. This spread to the Seminary, and to other schools such as

Soon after an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit at

for these kinds of results.

"EVEN SO, COME"

"'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?

Until then, human beings and whole nations continue to

Jesus taught us to pray for God's name to be hallowed, His

to pray. Having difficulty getting started, he decided to pray the

Some time ago in a freak accident Wendell fell from a ladder.

PULL TO THE SHORE

At this point we are moving from the kingdom to the kitchen,

Years ago we moved about fifty miles to begin another

occasionally went to see elderly folk. This included dear Margaret

fifteen minutes ago."

CHUNKS AND BITS

I like to think that the use of incense in Old Testament

GRACE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS

"Forgive us our sins" (Luke 11:4a.)

not just sinful deeds but sinful traits.

TRESPASSES, DEBTS, SINS

At Princess Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey the

can comprehend or imagine. The only adequate payment price was

to change and be changed? Then mouthing the words "Forgive us our