⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recognized prayers in all history.  Jesus gave us this prayer as a gift.  Having difficulty in praying?  Say the Lord’s Prayer.  Need to pray with a group?  Say the Lord’s Prayer.  Want to know how God wants us to live?  Say the Lord’s Prayer. 

Once I made an emergency visit to a church member actively dying.  He had dementia and did not know who I was, nor did he say anything to me during the visit.  Until I prayed the Lord’s Prayer.  He joined with me in every word.  This was the last time we spent together on this earth, and it was powerful.  This prayer was a gift of grace from Jesus at that moment.

When we slow down and focus on each line of the prayer, we are not praying in vain or repetition, rather we are declaring our faith in God, and our desire to follow God’s will.

As you journey through this week, consider the Lord’s Prayer.  Say it slowly, meditate over each line, each word and allow the prayer to change you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill