How many times have we prayed the “Lord’s Prayer”—something that is recited by Christians over and over and over again and can be prayed almost automatically, without much thought on our part?. We know Jesus gave us the prayer, so it has to be worthy of repeated use. So, let us think about what the prayer tells us about God.
We begin with “Our Father.” God is our Father, not father for only some of us but rather for all of us. That opening address tells us that we are unified, under the love and guidance of our Creator. That sounds promising and encouraging!
“Who art in heaven,” a safe and ideal place. “Hallowed be thy name.” So many times we hear people using God’s name in a not-so-holy or hallowed way. Maybe we, too, have slipped in a moment of anger or frustration. It might be a good idea just to tell God that he is an awesome God, that we love him, that we know his name is worthy and holy. We could even pray the “Gloria” prayer we say at Mass outside of the Mass, any time, in a very slow and thoughtful way. God is not needy. He does not need our praise, but we need to praise Him.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s kingdom is something wonderful, ’way beyond our wildest dreams. It is safe and holy and peaceful. And God’s will is so good that the world would be amazed if God’s will were always done! Every time we comply with God’s will, and align our gift of free will with him, joy and peace abide!
“Give us this day our daily bread.” We can pray for personal honesty—what we really need as opposed to what we might selfishly desire or what advertising has hypnotized us into thinking we need. So many people in war-torn areas are struggling to survive. We might include a prayer for all the innocent people who are so desperate.
“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” This part of the prayer expresses our repentance and our unwillingness to hold grudges. Forgiveness can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Our life on earth is short even if we live to be in our 90s. Why waste energy, creativity, and thought on getting even or being unloving? We are better than that! We have gifts to share. We can have open minds and hearts. We can be second-chance-givers!
“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.” The end of the prayer acknowledges that the devil puts temptations out there to trip us up. God will lead us, in his blessed time, to wisdom, love, contagious joy, and safety when we trust and rely on him. We may not understand all of God’s will or timing, but we can trust him and be faithful to him.
Pray daily and attentively and creatively. Our God is LOVE!
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Image: The Lord's Prayer, ink and watercolor by John Morgan Coaley (1889). Library of Congress.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.