Dear Trinity family and friends,

As our “Let’s Be Real” sermon series concludes, we will consider two of the most intense prayers offered by our Lord Jesus: the request for God the Father to lift the burden of crucifixion from the Son (Luke 22:39-42 (CEB)) and his intercessory prayer for forgiveness directed towards the people who took his life (Luke 23:33-34 (CEB)). We clearly see in these verses the Lord’s struggle between his own will and the will of the Father, and his capacity to love the unlovable even while suffering death.

We will also consider Romans 8:18-25 (CEB), in which Paul reminds the church that the world we live in is far from perfect, but our good God has plans to make it so - and while we wait on this great work to be accomplished, we experience many frustrations.

Prayer is one of the most commonly practiced spiritual disciplines, and most common elements of Christian worship. Yet many church-goers struggle with finding a fulfilling, life-giving prayer practice. I wanted to share with you a practice of mine, which helps me to get my mind focused and my thoughts centered. I like to begin my prayer times with the very familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer, and after praying a single line, I rephrase the verse to my own personal wording.

I don’t have a single “go-to” rephrase of the prayer - I start fresh each time. And I pray this new, personalized version of the Lord’s Prayer near the beginning of each workweek. Below is an example:

Our Father, who art in heaven - great Parent, so far superior to all life on earth, Creator of all that exists, who resides in heavenly places of splendor;

Hallowed be thy name. - Only your name is holy and above all other names! What a great name for us to praise and worship at all times!

Thy kingdom come, - May your kingdom expand and grow, according to your will, beyond the heavenly places and encompass this planet;

Thy will be done - may your supreme, sovereign will come to pass, over and above the will of human beings. Your will is perfect, while our wills are bent towards selfishness and greed. Make all things happen in accordance with your plan;

On earth as it is in heaven. - we fail to recognize your work in our world. Make this place reflect your glory as the heavens already do.

Give us this day our daily bread. - Take care of all my earthly needs. Give me air for my lungs to breathe. Give me nutrition to support my body. Give me water for hydration. I rarely want for these things in my life, O Lord, but billions of people on this planet suffer for lack. See to their needs as well, great and loving God!

Forgive us our trespasses, - I repent of all my sins, known and unknown. Refresh my soul with your offer of forgiveness.

As we forgive those who trespass against us. - Show me the people in my life that I have failed to forgive. May I see in them, even in the worst of my enemies, people who need forgiveness as much as I do.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. - Rescue me from the foolish diversions that ensnare my attention and pull me away from you. Show me the pitfalls in my life that must be tended for the sake of righteousness. And may evil gain no foothold in my life!

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. - You are the one true King, who reigns over the only kingdom that matters. You hold all power. Only you are worthy of glorification. Reduce our simple human schemes to dust, and reign over this world!

Amen!

I hope that a practice such as this may inspire you in your own prayer life. It can be powerful to take the words of familiar prayers, from both scripture and other sources, and make them your own with your thoughts and phrasing. Give it a try sometime!

I’d like to leave you with some questions to consider before worship this Sunday:

1. What prayer practices have you attempted before? Which ones seemed to bear fruit in your spiritual life, and which ones did not have the deep impact you desired?
2. How many ways has God blessed you, whether you asked for the blessing or not?
3. How does it make you feel when others lift up YOUR name in prayer?

I hope to see you this Sunday in the 9 am traditional service or at the 10:30 am contemporary worship service!

In Christ,

Pastor Dale