Exploring The Lord's Prayer

One of the things I cherish about my decades in a traditional church were the rituals. Granted, baptists don’t have many of them! The Lord’s Prayer was an often spoken prayer when we gathered to worship. I cannot fully appreciate it without saying it out loud. Maybe try that!

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Most days my favorite part is AMEN. To utter an AMEN at the end of a prayer is to agree with the prayer. So be it. Your will not mine.

But it also offers a challenge.

It asks questions of the pray-er.

If we agree that our Father is hallowed (holy, consecrated, revered and honored) - how do I revere and honor him?

If we agree that it is a good thing for the kingdom of God to invade earth, how do I participate in bringing love and grace and mercy to ALL PEOPLE?

If we agree that our source of nourishment comes from God, why do I often set him aside in pursuit of my own strategy for getting my needs/wants met?

If we agree that we are tempted, vulnerable to evil, how do I pursue holiness and repentance?

If we agree that he is powerful, glorious, king of kings - who do I worship him?

Some days this prayer takes me days to get through. It should probably take longer. A ritual is a beautiful thing; it unites us as a “we.” When it becomes a rote prayer - mechanical, habitual - we may be missing its call to us to wake up and attend to our heavenly Father’s ways. May WE unite together in this prayer today.