The Didache (pronounced did-akh-ay) is a first-century document that reportedly captured and preserved the central teachings of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles in clear, succinct form. Amid its exhortations about faith, fasting, the Eucharist, ethical behaviors, and more, The Didache says this about prayer:
“As the Lord commanded in His Gospel so pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done as in heaven so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil: for Yours is the power, and the glory, forever.’ Three times a day pray in this fashion.”
The Lord’s Prayer…prayed three times daily.
I wonder how a morning, noon, and evening recitation of the Lord’s famous prayer might reorient and inform our world?
Let’s try it.
Let’s engage in a one-week experiment, wherein we pray this prayer morning, noon, and night, and then examine the corresponding results. If we really try it and center ourselves on the Lord’s Prayer, I suspect that our one-week test run will yield some powerful results:
- We will care more about God’s Kingdom.
- We will be more submitted to His will.
- We will more readily see His provision.
- Forgiveness will be our mother tongue.
- Spiritual victory will be our ever-increasing portion.
- And ultimately, I suspect that our one-week of daily prayer will turn into a praying life.
Are you in?