Sivan 1
Prayer
“This, then, is the
way you should pray:”
(Mat 6:9 ISR)
Most reputable Bible scholars will agree that the
model our Master used for what is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer” is the Amidah, also known as the Shemoneh Esrei, the “Eighteen”. The Amidah is the 2nd most widely
recited Hebrew prayer in the world (the 1st being the Sh’ma), and
the sages believe that it was originally composed in the early days of the 2nd
Temple, during the 5th century BCE.
The Amidah
is also known as the “Standing Prayer”, and is recited while standing, preferably
facing Jerusalem – for those of us here in the U.S., that would be to the
east. Considered an opportunity to
approach our Elohim in a personal, private conversation, the Amidah is recited three times daily,
quietly, to oneself. Any interruption to
this prayer was not acceptable.
Your basic week-day Amidah is divided up into three sections: 1st, an introduction, acknowledging
and praising our Elohim; 2nd, petitions and request for various
needs; and 3rd, further recognition of our Creator, with
thanksgiving and gratitude for who He
is. Much of this prayer can be tailored
to the individual who is praying; however, the basic structure will always be synonymous. Shabbat, High Holy Days, and other special
occasions will have their own versions of the Amidah; nonetheless, the foundational elements of this prayer will
remain the same.[1]
Was Messiah Yeshua familiar with the Amidah?
Most certainly, and would have recited it the three times daily that was
expected of Him, as being Jewish. The similarity
between the Amidah and “The Lord’s
Prayer” is no coincidence, therefore, for the structure of both prayers is much
the same. In Matthew 6:9-10, we find our
introduction, which recognizes, acknowledges and accepts our Father, our
Creator. In verses 11-13, we make our
petitions and requests know to our Elohim, followed by our confession of emunah in our Maker – all of this
following the same configuration as the Amidah.
But what do these words really mean? Please, bear
with me in the coming days as I take a closer look at Matthew chapter 6. I pray it is enlightening for all of us.
©2018
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