Pray Then Like This

Pray then like this.

Those words touch me each time I read them. They feel so intimate, meant just for me (and at the same time, just for you). I find incredible courage and release and comfort and unity when I pray the Lord’s prayer, when I follow His example and “pray then like this.”   When I let His words guide my prayer time, when I let His prayer mold by thoughts, I feel His presence so powerfully.

Our Father in heaven,

Remind me of your might, that
Your ways are higher than my ways;
Your foolishness exceeds earth’s greatest wisdom;
You are over all and in all and through all!

hallowed be your name

Jehovah, Yahweh,
Adonai
Creator, Mighty King,
one true God,
the God Who Sees me,
Abba Father

Your kingdom come,

Your kingdom came,
Jesus proclaimed it,
“On this rock, I will build my church”
remind me to seek
Your kingdom first
every day.

Your will be done,

Your will is that we,
the church, each of us,
should love You
with all our heart, soul, mind, strength;
 and that we should love our neighbors

on earth as it is in heaven.

On earth . . . we  try, but we fail so miserably;
yet, historically, despite our failings, the church–
christians–have loved when others haven’t,
served where others wouldn’t.
Lead me to the place and people 
You want me to serve.
Overpower my selfishness.  
Empower me to do Your will here
as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

You do, You have always provided
our daily needs and so much more,
so many blessings overflowing.
We have received Jesus,
the bread of life!
In Jesus, is the Yes and the Amen.
Everything we need is found in Him!

and forgive us our debts

You not only forgive,
You redeem!
My Jesus,  who created this prayer,
knew that soon He would pay my ransom,
be tortured in my place,
pay the price that forgave, “fore-paid,” my debt forever!
He prayed this knowing His death would seal my redemption.
You did forgive, paying for me,
Before I even knew You.

as we also have forgiven our debtors

How is it that I want to hold the debt of others?
How can I want to hold my hypocritical high ground
when the Lamb of God was humiliated
for me
separated from God
for me
crucified on a cross 
for me
buried in a borrowed tomb
for me.
I forgive.  I forgive.
Teach me to quickly forgive.

And lead us not into temptation

You tempt no one and are tempted by nothing.
You do not lead us into temptation.
You woo us away from the dangers we pursue
like Hosea courted Gomer from her self-inflicted slavery.

but deliver us from evil

Our warrior King, You rescue us,
leveling the path,
hemming us in.
No one can stand against us
because of You;
because of You,
we are more than conquerors.