The other day we were watching the movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ.” In the scene where the followers of The Way were in prison awaiting their fate of being the next spectacles in Nero’s Circus, and Paul himself was in prison awaiting his final state of execution; they all began to pray in unison the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. Listening to the words as they were praying, the words of that prayer took on a new perspective.
Matthew 6:9–13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
As disciples facing constant persecution, this prayer encapsulates Jesus’ teachings that were their daily guide in life and living as part of the (Church) Community and as persecuted citizens of the city they dwelled. This prayer also expresses their confession of faith in Christ, their commitment to their beliefs and The Way, and the consolation of their trust in God.
As martyrs of the early Church, the words of this prayer were their affirmation and assurance that:
God is Supreme – Emperor Nero may be the (during that era) ruler of Rome (their current location), but God reigns over All and His rule is above all. God as Father is the sole one responsible for their very existence and their care / wellbeing. The circumstances in which they pray these words in this particular movie scene is their affirmation that even in this (imprisonment headed toward death), the care of their person is in the hands of the loving Father.
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), we are in the hands of God.
God is Holy – The very thought of the Father’s name is to be in reverence. The very name of the Father is to be reverenced and regarded as most holy (sacred).
God is Sovereign - Submission to God’s Will, even if it includes persecution; for Paul himself believed that his sufferings and imprisonments was the will of God (Acts 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:3). We are not to shy away from any form of suffering, but we are to follow the example of Christ; as Christ suffered for us, we willingly suffer for him (1 Peter 2:21).
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), according to thy will.
God is Sufficient – The Lord distributes our daily portion of substance for our livelihood. Our portion is not only provisions for physical nourishment, but it contains provisions for meeting the challenges of the day. To the believers of the early church, that entailed a portion of strength to endure the persecutions, a portion of courage to stand firm in their faith, a portion of encouragement toward their anticipated residence with Christ (Acts 14:22) not wanting to forfeit receiving that in which they believed (2 Timothy 2:12).
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), we are equipped to endure.
God is Love - Forgive, forgive, forgive….even if you are being persecuted. The teachings of Christ are that of love and good will always overcome hate and evil. Stephen echoed the words of Christ as he was being martyred saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The believers were not to resist, retaliate or reciprocate. Just as Christ willingly went to the cross and “opened he not his mouth (Acts 8:32)” so must we also when we are in the midst of (challenges).
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), we will let love abound.
God is Savior – The Lord sustains us in persecutions and saves us from any temptation to abandon our profession of faith, our allegiance to The Way in order to spare our very own life (Matthew 16:25-26). Within us is the answer required to overcome any temptation that opposes our faith. Just as in Jesus’ responses to Satan in the wilderness was a word of faith addressing that temptation [example: for the temptation of food, the answer was that “man shall not live by bread alone…”] (Matthew 4:4-10), we are equipped with what we need to not fall prey to temptation or evil (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), we fear not the one who can destroy our body, but we are faithful to the one who saves our soul.
God is Securer - Through persecution, they looked forward to eternal life with Christ. Acts 14:22 says, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Let us pray that even in this (whatever challenges, conflicts, conditions, or circumstances we face), “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)