For Simon

A while back, Simon left this comment, "NOW can we discuss the lords prayer and what it means to us?"

While I'm sure this may be a controversial post, I thought I would address his request. So Simon, here is my Lord's Prayer for this evening.

[Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name]

First, I acknowledge you as my Father, the creator of all things, the one who is lofty, high and lifted up in a place that I cannot ascend to. Your name is holy, your being is holy – you are set apart, entirely different from everything else that is; you alone are God; you alone are pure perfection.

[Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.]

I pray that your kingdom will come to this earth, to your creation and all that it contains, including all people, that they would come to know you for who you are, the perfect, pure and holy one.

Oh Father, help me to know and do your will the same way it is done in heaven, the way the angels do it – completely, quickly and with gladness, delighted to serve you. Help me to hear what it is that you are asking me to do and to trust you, to follow through in faith.

[Give us this day, our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we also have forgive our debtors.]

Oh Father, help me to understand that I only need see what I need to do today and only need to have what I need today. I so desperately need to learn to leave tomorrow for itself. Help me to remember to be faithful this day and to look to you for what I need this day – to walk by faith, not by sight.

Forgive me for where I have failed to do what I ought to do and where I have done what I ought not have. Help me always to remember how incredibly much you have forgiven me and to be willing to forgive readily the things others have done to hurt me. Bring to my remembrance how little I am asked to forgive in comparison to what you have already forgiven me.

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

Father, keep me from temptation. You know the desires of my heart and you also know its weakness. Please protect me in these areas and help me to trust your provision for my life. Help me to be wise and see evil for what it is and to walk away from it, trusting that your ways are not only higher, but better for me.

[For thine is the kingdom and the power and glory, forever]

Let me to remember that you are the one who is seated on the throne of all that exists; keep ever present in my mind that nothing is outside of your power, that nothing can touch me but that you allow it. Help me to trust you to guide and protect me. Remind me that it is not by man’s might, nor by his power but by your spirit that your kingdom moves forward. Help me not to fear my current work situation, remembering always that you are in control and the power of my university system is nothing in comparison to you. Help me to walk by faith through this difficult time, one step at a time, holding fast to your hand, doing your will day by day.

You, oh Lord, are glorious beyond compare. Whom do I have in all of heaven and earth that compares with you? You are the bright and shinning one who lights the dark souls of men and shines your truth into us. Warm us with your light, drive out the shadows and darkness from our souls with your glory – for this moment and forever and ever.

[Amen]

May it always be so!