Differences and Similarities between the Our Father

prayer and Psalm 5.

Our Father Psalm 5

Differences We call God our Abba, The address is far more
the Aramaic form of formal: Lord, King, God.
daddy used by children.
To start a prayer in this
way is intimate and
denotes a father/child
relationship.
A petition for daily bread; Petition: Asking God to
the means to survive e.g., be aware of the persons
food, and the means to feelings and predicament.
acquire what we need to God hear my cry, my
live both physically and words, my sighing
spiritually e.g., (paraphrase).
Eucharistic bread Plead my cause: in
other words, stand up for
me, advocate for me.
This petition self-focuses The prayerful lament
and humbly recognises reflects how the psalmist
ones own weakness and understands Gods
sin: Forgive us our character: You hate and
trespasses. One asks for abhor evil, evil doers,
forgiveness with the blood thirsty men and
added condition that one deceitful men. You punish
must also extend and destroy people like
forgiveness to others that. (Paraphrase)
because that is Gods
desire and character.
God does not desire the
death or punishment of a
sinner, but conversion,
transformation and
healing
Similarities Hallowed be thy name Praise comes in the
Praise of God comes at second half and at the
the very beginning of the very end.
prayer.
Petition to be delivered A prayer for deliverance
from evil. is the main motif that
runs throughout the
Your will be done. whole psalm, only, at the
end acknowledging, that
 this is what God does for
the righteous.

Allans reflection
Psalm 5, typifies the sombre mood that are characteristic of 'lament psalms.' The
feelings of distress and fear that accompany someone under threat of attack are
evident. It is a prayer of heartfelt petitions crying out for help and rescue from a
threat of being overpowered. The image of God is of one who wields power and
authority, and the psalmist appeals to a warrior God who will smite the enemy and
rescue those who have pledged allegiance to Him.
Even though the poem may have been used in liturgical worship, it reflects a
relationship between that of a king and vassal; the tone is formal, but respectful.
The focus of the prayer is on the 'self. 'The 'Our Father' has a very different tone; it
is one of an intimate relation between a father and child, yet one that recognizes
the holiness of God. The focus is on God's will and God's kingdom. The plea is for a
personal transformation that will reflect the characteristics of this Father/ God -
"forgive us our sins as we forgive others." The petitions for 'daily bread' and
'deliverance from evil' are made with the desire to be able to respond faithfully and
obediently to the will of God and to the process of bringing about the Kingdom of
God on earth.

The Lord's Prayer draws us into a different understanding of who God is and the kind
of relationship that God desires us to have. Jesus gives us a language that reflects
an intimate and closeness to God. The petitions that are made are in tune with the
very desires of God's heart. The very motif that runs through the prayer is a
petition for God's will, holiness, kingdom, and character, to become manifest here
on earth in our very lives. The petition is our agreement and 'yes' for this to happen
and an acknowledgement that we need 'our daily bread - in all the forms that will
come - to make this transformation possible. The early church Fathers saw
Eucharistic overtones in reference to the bread. An important aspect of receiving
this 'bread' or 'grace,' is a disposition of humility and an acknowledge that we are
sinners in need of forgiveness; we pray for the ability to forgive others, which opens
passageways for God's kingdom to be built: forgiveness is about healing, building
bridges, crucifixion and resurrection, and conversion; it is about transformation and
becoming Christ-like. Finally, we ask for the protection from 'evil', which in my
mind, asks for the strength to overcome all the temptations to choose our self
before God and others; to overcome the difficulties, tragedies, and traumas that life
can throw at us. I can see why Jesus taught the disciples to use this prayer.