Pattern of Prayer

This week, we’ve been reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer as a beautiful resource. As I mentioned on Tuesday, years ago, a spiritual director invited me to look at the Lord’s Prayer from a slightly different angle, and to use it as a pattern or a model for my own prayers, praying it one phrase at a time, amplifying it as I go along. 

So today, I’m going to try to bring all of this together by using this guide for our closing prayer.

Let us pray:  Our Father, who is in heaven – and who is also on war-torn battlefields, in refugee camps, in the midst of joyful celebrations, in homes that are broken and homes that are full, and who art even right with us, even now. 

Hallowed, holy, sacred, beautiful be thy name and thy ways.  

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in my life, in our lives, in our community, and in the world around us – even as it is in heaven. 

We pray for people who need you most now – especially we lift up those who lost loved ones, and those who are struggling. And we lift up too, O God, other people, and situations that are on our hearts… They need you. We need you.

Give us this day our daily bread. Give us eyes to notice your providence for our basic needs. Help us not to take too much, to share when we can, and to receive everything with deep gratitude. 

Forgive us now our debts, our sins, they are many. Grant us time and courage to amend our ways, and to make amends as needed. And then, Lord, as you have forgiven us, help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. There are many too. We turn them over to you now. As we let go, may we feel free.

Lead us not into temptation. But, grant us the ability to recognize it and the strength not yield to it. 

Deliver us from evil. Watch over us,  guide us, and protect us. 

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. With you all things are possible. Amen.