Lord's Prayer - part 2

And so with God rightly at the centre, we are bold to pray:

“Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.”

One of the most subversive aspects of Jesus’ life was that he only did what he saw his Father in Heaven doing.

He didn’t generate a plan and ask God to bless it, as we often do.

But instead he watched for the ways God was moving in the world, and joined it.

He paid attention to the flow of the Eternal Current, and then humbly learned how to swim with that healing river. The invitation is participation. Two questions for us for prayer and reflection...

First, where do you see God already working to bring the Kingdom to earth? Where do you see and long to see good news for the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, and justice for the oppressed? Try to be as specific as possible. (Holy Space) Second, to join this good work, is there anything you need to let go of, to de-center your will and participate in God’s will? Or maybe the invitation for you is to step up into a new boldness and into humble action? What is the next right step you sense the Spirit inviting you to take with God, for the sake of the world, as it is in Heaven?

(Holy Space)

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated Lord to Thee

Take my hands, and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love

At the impulse of Thy love

“Give us the bread we need for today.”

Jesus’ words to us, according to Matthew: “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matt 7:7-11)

Take the next 60 seconds to ask your good, heavenly parent for exactly what you need today.

Not for tomorrow or next year, but for today. Ask, seek, and knock...

(Holy Space)

O Gracious God, thank You for hearing us.

Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,

just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.

Let us embody the practice of receiving and offering forgiveness.

Please open your right hand.

Invite God to gently guide your memory to a sin that you committed this week.

A way that you fell short of love with a family member, neighbour, or with yourself.

Let the Spirit mercifully turn the lights on so you can see more and more of reality.

(Holy Space)

Now imagine that you are holding that sin in your right hand.

What does it look like? What does it feel like?

Take a moment to humbly hold this reality in God’s loving presence.

(Holy Space)

Keeping your right hand open, please also open your left hand.

And invite God to gently guide your memory to one person who has sinned against you.

Maybe it was a small slight; maybe it was a devastating violation.

Allow the Spirit to mercifully direct your attention and bring one specific person to mind.

(Holy Space)

Now imagine that you are gently holding this person who hurt you in your left hand.

What is their name? What emotion do they evoke in you?

Let yourself feel it.

Take a moment to humbly hold this person in God’s loving presence.

(Holy Space)

Finally, bring both hands together, in front of your heart.

Both your sin and your neighbours.

Feel the weight of the ways we have all fallen short of love.

And if you’re willing, repeat after me:

Most Merciful God (repeat)

Forgive me (repeat)

Forgive them (repeat)

Most Merciful God (repeat)

Forgive me (repeat)

As I forgive them (repeat)

May your mercies flow down upon me (repeat)

And upon them (repeat)

Thank you for grace (repeat)

Amen and Amen. (repeat)

“And don’t lead us into temptation,

but rescue us from the evil one.”

While this prayer begins with the power and mercy of God, it ends by naming our frailty and dependence.

We are finite beings who don’t have the power and control that we wish we had over our lives.

But rather than crush us to shame, this realization lifts us to trust.

With the Psalmist we cry “O Lord, lead me to the rock that is higher than I!”

For we know that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, principalities, and systemic evils of this world.

We cannot stand alone. But thankfully, through Christ, we don’t have to.

Would you place both hands over your heart, in a gesture of dependence and trust in God alone.

Loving Creator, we need You... (Holy Space)

Lord I Need You