A Life-Line

When you read the gospels, you see fairly quickly how Jesus steeps his life and ministry in prayer. We find that he continues to break away from the crowds, break away from the teaching and healing to spend time apart with God.

There is no doubt that prayer is a source of renewal, and strength, and hope.

But I also realize that sometimes prayer doesn’t come easy for us. Maybe there are seasons for us when we find we don’t have the words. Or we struggle to know what to say or struggle to know if we’re praying the right thing.  Even Jesus’ disciples struggled. 

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11 (1-4), they ask Jesus, Lord teach us to pray.

Jesus responded, when you pray, say:  Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial…

Very simple. Very direct. The gospel of Matthew gives us a little expanded version. And the early Church shaped this into the Lord’s prayer that Christians all over the world still say today.

Many of us still pray this prayer in the old English Version.  Of course, it wasn’t written that way, but we hold on to the tradition because tradition can become a resource for us – especially during difficult times. It’s familiar and comforting. It’s there in our hearts.

In fact, many years ago, we had two foster children ages 4 and 6, come and stay with our family for several months. You can imagine the trauma of being removed from your home and mother at that age. I remember clearly, on the first night with us, I could hear them in their bedroom praying this prayer, the Lord’s prayer.  

Somewhere along the way, someone had taught them this prayer. It became a huge resource, a lifeline, for them. Just as it is for us.

Today, I invite you to say this prayer with me. 

Let us pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.