I've been trying to implement a new habit. I've decided to try to pray the Our Father over the course of my day to fill spaces that would otherwise be mindless, or to quell a racing thought, or to make a random moment more meaningful and thoughtful. I don't always remember but when I do, I find that the result is an enormous wave of peace. I mull over each word as I go, meditating on the beauty and majesty of each one.
I pray when I'm brushing my teeth, when I'm in child's pose or downward facing dog, on my morning walks, while driving. Of course I pray about other things too and most of the time I make up my own prayers. But there is something so grounding and reverential about saying The Lord's Prayer, and I crave that. My own prayers are often rambling, formed in my mind a few words at a time as I make out my thoughts. I know God is listening and He doesn't care that my sentence structures aren't perfect, and these imperfectly uttered prayers make up such an important part of my life as a Christian.
But the Our Father flows off my tongue, each piece of it so familiar yet capturing something so awesome--for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever--and I find that it turns the most mundane moments into a chance to worship my God.
I used to only say the Our Father in church, and while it's a powerful prayer no matter where you say it, I'm not sure I quite "got" just how meaningful it could be until I began saying it alone. It wasn't until I began to recite these words privately, without the din of other voices surrounding me, when what was always a group profession of faith became a personal declaration of love and adoration, that it began to mean something more to me.
Amazing, isn't it, to be making discoveries and finding new meaning in a prayer I've been saying all my life. God is so good.
p.s. I have something fun planned for tomorrow, which is my blog's one year anniversary! Be sure to stop by!
I'm reading a book right now called "They Knew How to Pray," and it analyzes the prayer lives of several prominent Bible characters. I love it! Prayer is so, so important!
ReplyDeleteOne of the wonderful things about the Lord's Prayer is how malleable it can be, depending on our life circumstances, our age, our moment. There have been times in my life where I really squinted my eyes and prayed extra hard over the "lead me not into temptation." There have been times when "thy will be done" was both a plea and a calming promise. There are moments when "forgive us our trespasses" makes my heart flutter, and where "as we forgive those who trespass against us" makes it instantly calm. There have even been a few periods where "give us this day our daily bread" had a special earnestness as it rolled off my tongue. Almost always, the request "deliver us from evil" makes me feel safer. And, as you suggest, the final sentence is some of the most reassuring poetry ever spoken. I never tire of these powerful phrases. Of how many other things can I say that?
ReplyDeleteLove to say the Lords Prayer and the Nicene Creed. Tim has taught our oldest son, Graham, the Lords Prayer, Hail Mary and working on the Commandments. Every night at bedtime, he wants Tim to tuck him in, and they say their Hail Mary's and Lords Prayer. It is so sweet to hear it from a 5 year old.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fascinating, I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Hannah!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, couldn't have said it better myself. This is a brilliant addition to my post. Thanks for sharing, anon!
ReplyDeleteOh that's so precious and sweet. Father and son praying together--life doesn't get better than that :)
ReplyDeleteI love Our Father Prayer and have been praying it since I was a little girl. For me it has become even more powerful as I listen to my daughter recite it, perfectly and powerfully. I am a Psalms 23 girl when I need a prayer to recite and ease my mind and calm my soul.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how sweet it is to hear your daughter say the Our Father. Psalms 23 is another extremely powerful, comforting verse. I love it too.
ReplyDeleteI love the Our Father - we actually said it when we did Shabbat at home when I was a child. I have no idea why, other than the fact that it's my Dad's favorite prayer, but even though it's definitely not Jewish it doesn't directly mention Jesus so I guess it was okay? But it's the first prayer I can remember knowing by heart, so I love it too.
ReplyDeleteI think it can certainly apply to anyone who believes in God, and it just has a lovely, comforting power to it, don't you think? Glad to hear you know and love it too.
ReplyDelete