Hallowed be thy name

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Our gospel reading for today is from Matthew 6 and includes the text of the Lord’s Prayer. There have of course been volumes written about this prayer, the Our Father said countless times by believers over the centuries. I cannot tell you how many times I have prayed with someone who is gravely ill, near death or suffering mightily and while it may seem they cannot communicate, when we say the Lord’s Prayer, they respond. Sometimes verbally as best they can, other times just in body language or eye movement. The prayer brings comfort and familiarity and reminds us God takes care of us, day by day.

It is also good to pay attention to the words of prayers which become so so familiar. I talk often about “practicing forgiveness”, to become forgivers we must forgive. To expect forgiveness we must forgive. And sometimes it’s really hard. Yet our Lord reminds us: 

4For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Go and practice. Be a forgiver so that you may be forgiven.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Friday – Daughters of the King, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Marthas, worship volunteers (acolytes, ushers and greeters, chalice bearers) and all over volunteer groups who work so tirelessly and joyfully for the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ at St. Paul’s.