"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!”
...I have eaten several meals with Amish families and they have silent grace. If I slowing say the Lord's Prayer I know when it is time to eat.
ReplyDeleteThanx Tom. I did not know that about saying grace silently.
DeleteGod bless.
I absolutely love this conversation with God, Victor. We really should be conscious of exactly what we're saying when we prayer the Lord's Prayer. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteTrue, many recite the prayer like parrots. I don't think there are any parrots in Heaven.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
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ReplyDeleteSaying a prayer that we know by heart for years, we ought to slow it down and think about it and what it actually means. Good post, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Bill. God bless you.
DeleteBeautiful song you've shared here. And how fun, "Harold be Thy name."
ReplyDelete".... Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." I pray those very words for everybody, including political situations. We do want God's will to be done because His will is the safest place to be.
Thank you for another insightful and delightful post.
Thank you for your lovely comment here, Barbara. Sadly, God's will is not always done because we human try to take control and do what we want regardless of His teachings and Commandments.
DeleteHowever, no matter what we do, God is ultimately always in control of events.
God bless you my friend.
I enjoy the meaning of words and the words of scripture are Gods words, all the more special. They are so powerful. I try to always deep- think prayers like the Lord’s Prayer because there is so much “meat” in Matthew 6:9-13. And you did a wonderful job bringing it out: we really do need to stop 🛑 and really think on the beautiful words and significance it brings to us.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx, Debby. I tried to make sense of the most important prayer ever taught to us by our Lord. Each word and sentence has such deep meaning for us; yet often we recite it without thinking.
DeleteGod bless you and yours always.
I totally agree with Bill. Many times this prayer is repeated and our minds are drifting in all kinds of directions... We know this prayer by heart as well as many many people. I pray I never fail to realize the depth of these God's word.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Shug, we do tend to recite these words without thinking. I tried to analyse what Jesus was teaching us.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
I find it's very difficult to truly act on all the statements in this easy-to-say prayer.
ReplyDeleteWe should try, Kathy. Recite each word slowly and really mean what we say.
DeleteGod bless always.
Greetings Victor: Thank-you for posting this, this is the most beautiful and loving Prayer of all time, when a Priest told the people sitting in the pews to reflect on the words in the Our Father it made me really stop and think, wow what a powerful Prayer.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week.
Catherine
Powerful and meaningful in every word.
DeleteGod bless you, Catherine.
Great post Victor, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Many thanx and God bless, Jan.
DeleteThis is so good! I had to double-check, but published something similar to this way back in 2010. (https://mevely317.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-father-conversation-with-god.html)
ReplyDeleteYour version is so easy to understand; thank you!
Thank you, Mevely. I have just read your version. Well done for publishing it so many years ago. Every word in the Lord's prayer has such deep and significant meaning.
DeleteGod bless always, my friend.
I liked that. I agree - slow down and go over the words and really know what you are saying when you recite the Lord's Prayer.
ReplyDeleteAmen Sandie. Repetitive prayers said quickly lose their meanings.
DeleteGod bless.
It's a beautiful prayer, meant to be taken seriously in every part. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mimi. I agree.
DeleteGod bless you.