Reflection: Hallowed: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. When you realized the Lord's offered gift of a personal relationship with Him how did you react emotionally?

        2. How does that wonder turn your heart and mind upside down?

        3. When, or why, does that sense of wonder become ordinary?

Share: What word or thought do you think could help us t remember to include a hallowed respect when we talk and pray with the Lord?

Hallowed: Prayers and Poetry

 Matthew 6:9: "Hallowed be Thy name;"

Hallowed

When Moses met God at the burning bush he was told that he stood on holy ground. And was given God's name: I AM WHO I AM. The priests were given very strict guidelines before their worship and work within the temple. Especially when the High Priest went into the Hoy of Holies in the  tabernacle.

Holiness. Awe. Respect. Fear.

When the Lord came in person to Isaiah his immediate response was: "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts."

Throughout the Old Testament specific people were called by God for specific reasons, and each one was overcome by being in His Holy presence.

Jesus came and opened that relationship with everyone who accepts Him as Messiah. He walked among the crowds of believers and non-believers. He brought healing and hope and holiness into our lives. And they were all amazed then.

Hallowed. Jesus includes this word in His guidance for us to "Pray, then in this way."

Are we? We often stand in awe at nature both in the daily glory of sunrise and sunset. And staggered by the danger in earthquakes and tsunamis. But sometimes take for granted His presence--His gift of the Holy Spirit--present daily. His astonishing gift of presence, and ongoing invitation to walk with Him.

"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of the hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3.

Your thoughts,

Our: Prayers and Poetry

               Our

                El Olam

                Everlasting

                Moment by moment

                Mercy never failing

                Holds each one of us as

                His beloved heirs

                Creator--Redeemer

                Rescuer--Christ the Lord

Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection Questions: Our Father: Prayers and Poetry

1. How does the idea of a combined "our" feel  towards a difficult relationship? Does it stretch your feelings or give you a sense of peace?

2. Make your list of your expectations from a father. How much is measured by human fathers or God as Father? How can that affect your current family?

3. In what ways can knowing the limitless of our Creator in heaven bring healing to the grief of loved ones facing death?

Share: What other name for Father would you like to call Him?

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,

Invitation: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians Closing

 Acts 26:16, "But get up and stand on your feet: for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I appear to you;" (NASB)

We began our study this past year based on this scripture's theme. To explore the journey of scripture seeds defining purpose as shared from Paul and Timothy. We had no idea how upside-down our months would come. And how purpose could take on many paths.

However we paused to hear the Spirit's powerful words that too often get buried under daily stress. And considered seeing through a new perspective through the challenges and gifts from Him that have entered our lives.

And trusting in His foundation. His ongoing word. His on going invitation to walk moment by moment in faith. He is present.

        Thank you for participating in our journey. New Year Blessings!

                                   INVITATION            (John 1:29-51)

                                   Drawn by heart hunger

                                   one by one came to see

                                   respond to invitation.

                                   Struck by recognition

                                   certainty within

                                   reached to kindred souls.

                                   Listened. Hoped

                                   for promises. Answered

                                   call. 'Follow Me'.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we  may know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

                                   "Unless the Lord builds the house,

                                    They labor in vain who built it;

                                    Unless the Lord guards the city,

                                    The watchman stays awake in vain.

                                    It is vain for you to rise early,

                                    To retire late,

                                    To eat the bread of painful labors;

                                    For He gives to His beloved even in his 

                                    sleep."

                                    Psalm 127:1

                                

Deliverance: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

            Deliverance

            How often do we measure

            from the outside inwards

            struggling to achieve or at

            least survive in a 

            world conforming to

            present day Caesars'

            often in disguise.

            Holy Spirit guides

            from within our hearts

            showing mercy and grace

            bearing our burdens

            with counsel and strength

            patience and mercy

            offered every moment.

Psalm 18:50, "He gives great deliverance to His king, And shows kindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever."