The Lord's Prayer Prologue

lyThe  Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen!

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These are the perfectly chosen words of Jesus covering everything we should  pray for. .. EXCEPT when my busy mind and my  eyes  are on me and not primarily on God. All of sudden I have added a Prologue using  an extra small font, then emphatically use ALL CAPS, bold and underlined  fonts to emphasize the compromised  (self) attitude of my heart.  

I cringe as I have turned The Lord's Prayer into something that more resembles a ransom letter then it does a humble loving prayer to my creator.

Lord's Prayer Prologue
Our Father who is in Heaven hallowed (whatever hallowed is) is your name.
Your kingdom come, your will  be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

(NOW 'MY' REAL PRAYER STARTS)
GIVE US THIS  DAY OUR DAILY BREAD!! (and.. the other stuff I WANT)
FORGIVE MY SINS (and THE MESS I MAKE OF LIFE), 
as we forgive those who sin against us.
and lead me not into temptation, but
DELIVER ME FROM EVIL (aka keep me out of trouble even when I am looking for trouble).
For yours  is the power and glory forever (YOU CAN DO IT!) 
AMEN!

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My point is to remind myself that The Lord's Prayer is short, but so powerful. It opens the doors of our lives and gives them to God, and if anything we should  get stuck on the  beginning of the Lord's Prayer as we find  ourselves in awe of  our loving creator.  

Our  Father  who is in Heaven, Hallowed  (GREAT) is your  name! Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth (in my life, in my family,  your church, our nation) as  it is in Heaven.

​Also, The Lord's Prayer expands easily to cover the miriad of moments and  issues that need God's attention. My family, my attitude, health issues, our nation, where I put my hope, where I put my trust (God), and the  choices I  make. Also confession of and prayers for help regarding areas of temptation and  compromise I entertain.  And don't forget to be forgiving of others! But all of this  and more are covered in the Lord's Prayer.

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This  is my prayer for each of  you.  May we  all pray to Him in a way that  is  God centered not self centered. There is no  greater call than to be a  servant of God. Think of  it, the creator of  the world.  Like  the old Navy recruitment slogan 'It is not just a job (to serve God), it is an adventure.'

Blessings on your Adventure

Jeff ​

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