Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
The Plural Prayer
Today’s Audio Devotion:
The Plural Prayer
Two of the best-known passages in the Bible are the Twenty-Third Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. They are similar in several ways, but there is one major difference between them. Psalm 23 is personal and singular: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (verse 1). The writer didn’t say, “The Lord is our shepherd.” He was writing for himself.
The Lord’s Prayer, on the other hand, is plural throughout. Jesus didn’t tell us to pray, “My Father in heaven” but “Our Father in heaven.” We’re to pray, “Give us…. Forgive us…. Deliver us” (Matthew 6:9-13). We are praying for ourselves and for others.
God is our Heavenly Father; we must remember our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are part of a family, and we need to make sure to take care of those relationships. When you offer the Lord’s Prayer, think not only of yourself but also of others. You can make this a prayer that includes your children, your pastor, your fellow church members, and the family of Christ around the world. Here’s an idea to get started. Offer the Lord’s prayer now, and emphasize with your voice all the plural pronouns. It will be a blessing for you.
The Lord’s Prayer is a family prayer.
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Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
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Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).