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!
