Our Father: Prayers and Poetry

 The Lord's Prayer Introduction

Psalm 27:1-2: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell."

New Year Blessings!

This year our beginning devotional series is based on a familiar prayer that we share often. Yet, sometimes we can become so comfortable with a well-known passage that we unconsciously skim through it. Even, or maybe especially, the ones that we consider as strong foundations to our faith walk. It is already so written into our hearts that we miss its power and daily presence.

So for the first three months we'll take a deep breath and slowly re-absorb the Lord's Prayer. This past year has brought so much tension, sorrow, grief, and confusion even within loving family and friends and hope. Let's re-absorb this prayer Jesus gave to each believer then and now. 

This study unfolds into three parts. On Mondays we will reflect on a scripture passage. Wednesdays consider meditative questions. Fridays respond with poetry.

The Matthew verse translations are from the NASB, as are the closing verses.

Thank you for participating in our journey. Please share as you discover your own questions and insights, prose, and poetry.

Our Father: Prayers and Poetry

Matthew 6:9: "Our Father, who art in heaven,"

Our

Not mine, nor yours, not his or hers, or theirs. No distinction of privilege or poverty, of age, of level of education, location of country, or language, or color of skin.

When we accept the gift of grace God offers t each of us individually we are then all together on equal ground--an internal family that is timeless.

"..you are all one in Christ Jesus. And you belong to Christ....heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:28

Father

For some of us the name father brings immediate love and memories and a safe heart from our human father. For many of us the name father brings sorrow, and sadness, and often memories of fear. Or abandonment. And never knowing why or who.

So although we believe and accept with trust God's parental character 'father' can still be a difficult barrier in our heart and trust when we pray. So we skim over the thoughts and the understanding of the depth of His love. Or try to ignore our hesitancy to fully trust.

But our Scriptures overflow with other name we have been given to use as well: Creator, Redeemer, El Shaddi, Elohim, Jehovah. Or El Olam (the Everlasting). 

His love and grace and mercy extend beyond our limited human experiences.

Who art in heaven

Limitless. His promises are eternal. We may have no way now to comprehend because on our temporary earthly life we face deaths throughout all the years. And the grief can overwhelm in histories of wars and illness and pandemic. Heaven means life. In His timing. We will see Him face to face along with our loved ones. A reconciliation and new beginnings far far beyond our imagination. Except we know we are His heirs and His family through mercy, grace, and redemption.

Your thoughts,