There has been quite a backlash this week on social media over the “pathetic” lack of response to a biblical clue that was offered on the game show Jeopardy. Comments ranged from sheer outrage to things such as “it’s a sad world we’re in…”
Of course, when I read this I had to dig deeper and see what the fuss was about. With Christianity on the decline in America, I was surprised that there was such an uproar about the show. However, I admit that when I actually read about the situation, I got a little amped up myself.
Earlier in the week, three contestants were called out for failing to answer a number of clues and so the stage was apparently set for a somewhat critical look at the show as it progressed throughout the week. Anyway, the host, Mayim Bialik, read a clue that began, “Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father, which art in heaven, (THIS) be they name.”
As incredible as this sounds, not one of the three contestants buzzed in with a response. Honestly, what is the chance that in any group of three random people in America, nobody would know the correct response is, “What is hallowed?” I can hardly believe it! One person online even remarked, “That’s ‘hallowed,’ you heathens!” I actually laughed out loud.
To add insult to injury, the Final Jeopardy clue had to do with actors. Two of the three contestants got that one correct! Clearly, we have our priorities all messed up when we can answer celebrity questions but can’t correctly identify one of the most fundamental prayers in the entire Bible – the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us.
I have written about the Lord’s prayer before. Note that it is the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray but does not give us any insight as to how Jesus Himself offers prayers to His Father.
It is the first prayer that many of us learned as children, perhaps after grace – “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food – Amen.” Or maybe after our bedtime prayers – “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I way, I pray the Lord my soul to take – Amen.”
Our verse for tonight is the full Lord’s prayer. It is found in Matthew 6:9-13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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.”
My encouragement this evening is that God has given us the template that we should use when we approach the Father in prayer. It’s been around since Jesus taught it to His disciples. My prayer is that each of us will realize how important prayer is as a very basic and fundamental part of our lives. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…