Ganito kayo mananalangin, ‘Ama naming nasa langit, sambahin nawa ang iyong pangalan.’

Mateo 6:9

Do you still feel nervous kapag tinatawag ka para mag-lead ng prayer in a group?

Normal lang na makaramdam ng kaba lalo na kapag hindi ka handa at hindi mo alam ang sasabihin mo. Siguro, ganito rin ang naging pakiramdam ng mga tagasunod ni Jesus kaya tinuruan Niya sila kung paano manalangin. Una sa lahat, sinabi niya sa Mateo 6:9, “Ganito kayo mananalangin, ‘Ama naming nasa langit, sambahin nawa ang iyong pangalan.’” Ito rin ang guide natin ngayon kung paano ia-approach ang Diyos sa panalangin.

Ang sabi ni James Bryan Smith sa kanyang libro na Good and Beautiful God, “In Jewish cosmology, heaven did not refer to a place that is far away; heaven referred to the surrounding atmosphere, the very air they breathed. Remember at Jesus’ baptism when “heaven” was opened (Read: Luke 3:21)? It was not far away! In short, God is present.”

Ibig sabihin, kapag tayo ay nananalangin, nananalangin tayo sa Diyos na malapit sa atin. Naririnig Niya tayo at nakikita. Kaya maging honest ka at sabihin mo sa Kanya ang anumang naiisip mo o nararamdaman. Mauunawaan ka Niya.

Second, sinabi rin ni Jesus na: “sambahin nawa ang iyong pangalan.” Sa ibang version ito ay: “hallowed be your name.” Ibig sabihin ang Diyos ay banal o holy na dapat sambahin. Siya ay pure. Walang bahid ng kasalanan o kasamaan. Igalang mo Siya at sambahin sa iyong panalangin.

Third, we can see that God is powerful: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NIV) Siya ay makapangyarihan at kaya Niyang ibigay sa ‘yo anuman ang iyong kailangan basta’t ito’y naaayon sa Kanyang kalooban.

Fourth, we learn that God is also our Provider. Jesus said, “Give us today our daily bread” (v.11). He can provide for you and your family’s needs.

Fifth, Jesus said, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (v.12). God is willing to forgive those who have sinned against him and are willing to repent and turn to Him. Our God pardons so don’t hesitate to come to Him to receive His forgiveness.

Sixth, God protects us from trials and temptations. Jesus prayed, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (v.13). Siya ang kasama mo saan ka man magpunta at kaya ka Niyang protektahan mula sa anumang panganib at masamang balak ng kaaway.

Tandaan natin, ang Diyos na ating kinakausap sa panalangin ay laging present. He is pure and powerful. He is also our Provider and the One who has pardoned our sins. God also protects us from temptations and evil.

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