Our Father

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

I used to believe that God was not very present in the traditions that recited this prayer every day, every service. I used to believe that repeating these words often caused them to become rote, meaningless, devoid of power. I used to believe there were loftier, more powerful words to pray to move the heart of God.

Life has a way of humbling you. I'm not that person anymore.

In the last several years, I have said this prayer literally hundreds of times. And each time, God opens it up more fully to me. There are times that this prayer literally brings me to tears. My words do not have to be many, or lofty, or creative. They can be, and sometimes they are, but here, Jesus gives us all we need when we have no words of our own. 

This is me today. No words of my own.

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven." May it be so. And may we be people that live it.