Here are my thoughts on and my favorite way to pray the Lord's Prayer:
Our father which are in heaven
Recently we were challenged with the question, "Where is heaven?" As a younger child I used to think of it "way out there somewhere high above us…unreachable, unattainable, far away, distant." Now I think of it in more science-fictiony terms as permeating or THROUGH us. Almost like the idea of an invisible fourth dimension that exists in the same space as us, but not the same time…a timeless reality that is alongside, but not immediately perceptible by us. So I try to acknowledge his "WITH US-NESS" and focus on his immediacy and the intimacy of his FATHER-NESS…and wrap myself up in a hug, being held by him. "Daddy hold me."
Hallowed be thy name
Hallowed or holy means "OTHER" not like us…actually love unlike we've ever known. God is love. I like to say it to him "you are love, not like any other love we've ever known or will ever know, true love, sacrificial, "for" us, more than we could ever ask or imagine love to be…YOU are love."
I also insert a piece of St. Patrick's prayer in here as well to remind me of my need for his presence in my life.
"I bind myself today to the Trinity."
This is my way of promising or renewing my vows to commit myself to him.
This part I see as an invitation for him to "invade" me, fill me with his spirit, permeate my being with himself, his love.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
This is where I ask him to "flow through me into the day and the people I meet." That he would allow me to be the face of Jesus to others. Help me to not get in the way and be an unobstructed conduit of his goodness, his presence.
I often say words such as: have your way with me, flow through me, pour out your life into others.
Give us this day our daily bread
Jesus told us he was the bread of life. He also said he needed to leave in order to send his spirit to us. I think of these words as I pray this part. I used to think of the physical food as being provided by him and this is also true, but my focus has been the bread that feeds my soul and the souls of others. I often say words such as: help me to listen for the voice of your spirit, and help me to obey that voice when I hear it.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Up until this point the prayer is easy to me. It helps me focus all that I long for on him and resonates as true. The rest of the prayer feels like hard work to me. I am not there yet. I don't forgive others and I don't want the consequences of not forgiving. I have flipped the actual words to acknowledge my inability to do as he asks. I need him to be able to offer any kind of grace to others who have hurt me or wronged me. I often murder them in my thoughts (and sometimes my words) with my anger. I am SO desperately in need of grace and forgiveness and redemption. What a miracle that he invites me to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, when I still, daily need to be reconciled myself. These are the words I say: help me forgive, I don't forgive well…and certainly nothing like you forgive.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from the evil one
I am still wondering about this part. I wonder about the things that tempt me away from the place of being in right relationship (righteousness) to him. I wonder how my choices affect that kingdom flow through me and the experience of his presence. I don't think I deeply understand or believe how all this works, that my choices have that great an impact. I pray this as an acknowledgement of my need yet again: help me to refrain from believing the lies, indulging my self and ignoring the suffering of others believing it's not my problem.
For yours is the kingdom
And the power
And the glory forever
It truly is all about you, help me to be about your kingdom today. Thank you for letting me be a part.
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