Day 14
If you have
been tracking with me for any amount of time, you know I have been working through Father
Thomas Hopko's 55 Maxims for Christian Living. The project began because it
occurs to me that what non-believers or unchurched believers see in those of us
who regularly attend church has a lot to do with their choice to stay away.
So I am
traveling through Fr Hopko's list, looking at my life and at what I see in
others.
Today we
look at #4: Say
the Lord’s Prayer several times each day
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is warning against
grandiose prayers which attempt to draw attention to the pray-er. He gives his Disciples
a simple verse to use instead.
It is truly a perfect prayer. Covers all the bases
beautifully.
But when was the last time you recited it slowly,
really listened to the words?
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed by
Thy name
Hallowed is
an uncommon word. Jesus is telling us that the One to whom we pray is sacred
and unlike any other, not to be trivialized or used for any purpose we
contrive. God and our belief in Him are
not tools we can use against others.
Excellent
word for current times.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth
as it is in Heaven
Pastor Rob
spoke this morning about the Kingdom of God being a state in which God's will
is carried out as it should be, in the way God plans. He went on to mention
that every part of creation lives within the Kingdom of God, except human beings.
Everywhere else in the Universe, every other species of plant and animal, bows
to the authority of God, except humans.
Think about
it.
Give us this day our daily bread
I am
watching my dog sleep beside me right now. She has no concern about not eating
tomorrow. Her belly is full, she is ready for bed, and thoughts about
tomorrow will not ruin her sleep.
Wouldn't
that be a great way to live?
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us
Okay, this
is a tough one. What we should read in these words is "forgive me in the
very same way I forgive others"...and that seems harsh. We like grudges.
We cling to hurts people have put on us. We want forgiveness but don't want to
forgive.
Except it
doesn't work that way.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us
from evil
Pretty much
sums up my cry each day. Keep me out of trouble, rescue me when I wander off
the trail.
Seems that
Father Hopko is on to something here.
I am making
a commitment to reciting this prayer at least three times every day for the
rest of October.
And listening
to the words as I say them, either in my head or aloud
Will you
join me?
Who knows...we
might start a revolution as a result!
We will talk
again tomorrow...
BP
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