Radical Prayer

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray it was the kind of prayer that could get you killed.  Jesus starts by calling God, "Da-Da."  This was practically unheard of in first century Judaism.  It was much too familiar for a Hebrew faith that saw God as wholly other-than.  The most amazing thing about that opening line to the prayer is that Jesus is teaching US to call God, "Da-Da." 

And just in case, that isn't radical enough, Jesus then instructs us to pray to God, "YOUR name be hallowed (on earth as it is in heaven), and YOUR Kingdom come (on earth as it is in heaven), and YOUR will be done (on earth as it is in heaven). 

Jesus was teaching us to ask three things of God:
1. For HIM to show up in OUR world.
2. For HIM to bring HIS rule to OUR world.
3. For HIM to always win in OUR world.

Jesus teaches us to implore God to vindicate his holy name on this earth.  To show everyone who he really is. To make his holiness evident every day.

When he taught his disciples to call upon God for HIS rule on this earth, it was a dangerous and seditious petition.  Who was the ruler in Jesus' world?  It was Rome.  And Caesar was the Ruler.  Jesus tells his disciples, Ask God every day to overthrow Caesar, and bring HIS rule to this earth.  And ask God every day to over-rule Caesar's will, and to bring HIS will to this earth.  Jesus, it seems, was calling for a divine war against the systemic evil of the powers of his day.  We cannot defeat the power of evil on this earth.  Therefore, ask God, every day, to show HIMSELF for who he really is (holy), and to bring HIS rule and HIS will OVER and AGAINST that of evil. 

Wow.  Try praying that ... and then stand back and watch what God might do.
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