The Formation of Our Needs

A few weeks ago, I told a little of the story from a classic Russian film called, “Stalker.” The plot centers around the journey to a room where you will receive exactly what you want. You will not necessarily receive what you might ask for. Rather, the room knows your deepest desires and grants what you truly want.Imagine a similar room that granted what you needed. It would certainly be safer, but how surprised would we be? We don’t often think in terms of what we need. In fact, we usually think that we need whatever it is that we want. At least that is how children think, and growing up is supposed to change that. What do we truly need? It may be more than you think. It may be less than you think. But knowing what it is should certainly impact how we live.Just as the three requests of the Lord’s Prayer help form of our desires (the message from a few weeks ago), the last three requests form in us an understanding of our needs—our true needs. Give us today what is necessary, forgive us even as we forgive others, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.Join us in worship as explore the essential formative prayer for the Christian life, the Lord’s Prayer.