Thursday, March 28, 2019

Bishop’s Note – The Lord’s Prayer – 2019 BCP Holy Eucharist


 Bishop Eric Menees

Dear Friends,

As we continue our examination of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) service of Holy Communion – Standard Text – we concluded last week with part two of the prayer of consecration. At that point in the prayer the gospel has been recounted and we have been reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice and the redemption found in it.

At this point we turn away from the priest leading the prayers of the congregation and the congregation is invited to pray the Lord’s prayer. *

The Lord’s Prayer
The Celebrant then says
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Celebrant and People together pray

Our Father, who art in heaven,
      hallowed be thy Name.
      Thy kingdom come,
 thy will be done,
            on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
      as we forgive those
            who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
      but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
      and the power, and theglory
      for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven,
      hallowed be your Name.
      Your kingdom come,
     your will be done,
            on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
      as we forgive those
            who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
      and deliver us from evil.
the kingdom, the power,
      and the glory are yours
      now and forever. Amen.
Here, we as the body of Christ, pray the words our Lord taught us in response to the disciples’ request: “Teach us to pray.”

Immediately, before receiving the holy food and drink, the blessed body and blood of Christ we pray the Lord’s Prayer which is fulfilled in the very act of Holy Communion. We glorify God the Father, we experience the mystical presence of the Kingdom of God, we receive our daily bread, and we are forgiven of our trespasses. In receiving the sacrament, we receive the Grace necessary to resist temptation and we are sent into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the power of the Holy Spirit!

What sublime Grace and Glory!

I pray you every blessing this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, as you gather for worship and humbly pray the Lord’s Prayer.

*(For a full explanation of the Lord’s Prayer I’ll refer you back to my Bishop’s Note of the Lord’s Prayer.)



No comments: