"Our Father who art in heaven....."
“Yes. How can I help you?”
”Hein? Who’s that?”
“You called me. I’m listening …”
”I didn’t call anybody … I was just praying … The Lord’s Prayer! Our Father who art in Heaven …”
“That’s me … Your Father in Heaven … now carry on praying …”
“Eh … Hallowed be Thy name …”
“Ha … Do you remember when you were very young you used to say ‘Harold be Thy name’? For a long time you were convinced my name is Harold; until someone put you right. What does it mean anyway … Hallowed be Thy name?”
“Eh … hmmm … does it mean you are Holy?”
“That’s right … carry on …”
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
“Hold it just there … Do you really mean what you just said?”
“Sure, of course I do …”
“Or do you mean ‘Thy will be done’ as long as it is what you want? Do you really accept my will all the time? Even when it’s not convenient for you, or when life gets a little difficult?”
“Well … sometimes when things get really bad I get very worried …”
“At least you’re honest. Remember this always; when things are really bad for you it is still my will. I allow it to happen but I never abandon you. I’m always close to you … all you have to do is trust me.”
“Gee … thanks.”
“Carry on …”
“Give us this day our daily bread …”
“Let’s stop again … This means that I will provide for all your needs. It’s good of you to ask; but rest assured that I will always provide you with what you need. Go on with your prayer …”
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us …”
“Even your neighbour?”
“What?”
“You never forgave your neighbour after that argument you had a few days ago … In fact you still hope that you’ll get even some day …”
“But … but … You know it was his fault!”
“Of course it was … and he did apologise. But unless you truly forgive him, you truly no longer hold a grudge and have no ill-will or ill-feelings towards him; it doesn’t count does it?”
“That’s not always easy …”
“I agree … But true forgiveness means that you no longer wish any retribution or revenge against those who have hurt you. Sure … you’ll always remember the wrong done to you, but let that be a reminder to forgive them once again and to pray for them.”
“Can I go on now?”
“Yes …”
“And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.”
“This bit is a reminder that Satan is always there trying to take you away from me. He tried to tempt my only Son Jesus, so you’re not going to be much of a challenge to him. Whenever he tries to lead you astray repeat those words over and again and I will come to your help.”
“Thank you …”
“It’s getting late … go to sleep now!”
Oh Victor, I love this post. Even 'rote' prayers can be a Conversation with God!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Suzanne.
DeleteGod bless you.
I love, love, love this post, Victor! Such a great reminder that every time we pray, God listens with love.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you for your nice compliments, Martha. Much appreciated.
DeleteGod bless you always.
This has moved my innermost person . Wow....nice reminder
ReplyDeleteThank you Unknown.
DeleteGod bless you.
Next time I pray, this dialogue will be in my mind to remember what I am actually praying. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx Susan. It's a reminder of what we pray.
DeleteGod bless.
I love this! Nice post, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my friend.
DeleteGod bless you, Bill.
Indeed!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
DeleteGreat minds, Victor! Only in the wee hours of this morning I was tossing and turning. I began to mentally recite The Lord's Prayer, only to puzzle over, "Thy Kingdom come." What do you make of that?
ReplyDelete"Thy Kingdom come". As Christians, we believe in the existence of a living God and accept that He is the Creator, therefore King or Master, of all He has created. In this prayer, Jesus is reminding us that God's Kingdom is not only a spiritual Kingdom in Heaven, but also a physical, real, Kingdom here on earth. Albeit He is an unseen King, this does not make Him any the less real.
DeleteGod bless you, Mevely.
Thank you so much, Victor.
DeleteIt's a pleasure, Mevely. God bless you always and your family.
DeleteA beautiful model for heartfelt prayer. Great post, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Chris.
DeleteGod bless you.
Amen.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Joeh.
DeleteIt is easy to not really think about what we are praying or reading when we do it over and over.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me stop and think.
Thank you, Happyone. You are so right.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Great post Victor … I'm so pleased I stopped by your blog today.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you so much, Jan.
DeleteGod bless you always my friend.
I read a similar breakdown of the Lord's Prayer several years ago, but I think yours is better :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I have not commented here earlier...
But what an excellent post—so well written down about what most humans feel or think.
Hugs,
Mariette
You are always so kind to me, Mariette. Thank you so much. Best wishes to you and Pieter.
DeleteGod bless you both.
🤗
DeleteThis post of yours offers such a fresh view of the Our Faather, and so down to earth. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ladka.
DeleteGod bless you.
I like the way you can put things in Human perspective, imma thinking you'd made a good protestant pastor, just saying if you aren't gonna turn priest on me. YOu are great impersonating Father I. Love from this side, enjoyed the read...
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful thing to say, Jack. Thank you so much. I assure you I am not a priest or pastor, minister or anything else. Just an ordinary person. I am so glad you enjoy my Father Ignatius stories. I'll post another one for you today. I hope you like it.
DeleteGod bless you and your family always.