Some have said that The Lord’s Prayer —the “Our Father” — is an “index prayer”: In other words, each line is a category, a topic, and we are invited to personalize it according to our needs. For example, my needed “daily bread” today may be extra funds for the heating bill, or ideas for stretching the grocery money to feed unexpected guests.
You have given us a beautiful example of using the format Jesus taught His disciples to articulate our heart-felt cries for this nation.
I think the "Give us this day." indicates that the day should begin with communicating (talking) to the Father and listening for His direction (military orders) so we can do His will. He said, you fed me when I was hungry, clothe me when I was naked, took care of me when I was sick, and visited me when I was in jail. Mother Teresa probably read that early on. Jesus said, "follow Me" and she did!
Every day we start with our Four Intentions. To love somebody forward; To perform a random act of kindness; to pay a compliment to someone; To ‘Do Epic’.
Thank you, Sean, for this heartfelt prayer. I am almost 80 and I have never seen such hate in this country. Social media spreads it like wildfire. Yet, I recall that hate has been with us in the world since Cain killed Abel and Jesus was nailed to a Roman cross. Yet, our God is the Redeemer. He can turn hate to love and tragedy to triumph, like when Jesus rose from the grave. Some day (I think, soon), He will come again and set things straight. Until then, we should be His ambassadors to spread His love. You have done so today with your prayer. God bless you, Sean.
We can't. He can, and will, if we let Him! Remember. My yoke is easy. My burden is light. The hugh oxen is yoked to the young oxen (that's us) for training. He does all the work. We will eventually, be trained to do the work as we learn and grow up, with Him by our side.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and seek my face, and turn from the wicked ways, then well, I hear from heaven, and we will forgive their sins and will heal their lands
I am more than worried. I am sickened. Not just by an ideology but the actions of said ideology. My mind says no way but my eyes and ears tell me the truth. And it is ugly as hell.
Some have come about and wised up, but not enough AND fast enough, I'm afraid, to turn this sinking ship around. For a while, I thought the worm was turning, but maybe not, and definitely not fast enough. With what all Shitler Dump-pants is throwing at us to see what will stick and to see us get sidetracked from what everybody, including Republicans, WE ALL STILL NEED to know about his relationships with young girls; the picture he drew on Jeffrey Epstein's birthday card, the body shape clearly DEPICTS adolescent breasts as opposed to voluptuous adult womens' breasts, and Dump writes of his and Jeffrey's "wonderful secret". 🤫 One can only imagine WHAT THAT MAY BE. Hmmmmm😏🧐🤨🤔
He belongs in a Hell HERE on Earth and I don't think waiting for a divine retribution for him is smart; he's done enough damage to this country as it is.
Your prayer is heartfelt and genuine, Sean. We need to be students of one another, willing to learn what we don't know or understand, and acknowledge that we don't know it all. We do need to see others as more important than ourselves, and recognize that all people have value in the eyes of God because He made us each in His image. The line that I love--don't think less about ourselves, but think about ourselves less. We all need to stop thinking that we're the center of anyone's universe. That's still God's place.
Amen! If only people could stay in their own lane and not worry about the lane that someone else is in. Spend time with your kids and your family. You can't change anyone's ideology, you can only pray for them. Grandma said it best and it went something like this, "mind your own business". 🤷🏻♀️
If you, as a citizen of this country, cannot call out this hate and divisiveness from this so-called "leader", then you are complicit and a part of the problem.
With some people it doesn't matter how much you praise them, they only want to see how many likes they get. If the numbers are down so are they. When young people tell me they are something they read on the web to justify wearing their hair blue. I will tell them that I had no problem with blue hair but if you want blue hair own it, don't hide it under stocking cap. I pray every day for God to give me strength and understanding and that is just for my blended family. On the days we are all together I can smile because God gives me strength. Other times I excuse myself and go to the kitchen for a cookie,
A great prayer Sean! If we are asking for those things we might want to ask Jesus to come with us every day. When we go shopping ask Jesus to come with you. Better yet ask Him to drive. When we stop for a coffee and a scone ask Jesus if He would like one also. Revelation 3:20. He is our friend. Treat Him like one. Best friend we will ever have. Amen
Thank you, God, for this prayer, through Sean. There is the crackle of the Holy Spirit in it--which, thank God, is available to all the angry folk. Which includes me. And you. May our hearts grow wide like the sky...and may we all get off our devices and look up at it.
Some have said that The Lord’s Prayer —the “Our Father” — is an “index prayer”: In other words, each line is a category, a topic, and we are invited to personalize it according to our needs. For example, my needed “daily bread” today may be extra funds for the heating bill, or ideas for stretching the grocery money to feed unexpected guests.
You have given us a beautiful example of using the format Jesus taught His disciples to articulate our heart-felt cries for this nation.
I think the "Give us this day." indicates that the day should begin with communicating (talking) to the Father and listening for His direction (military orders) so we can do His will. He said, you fed me when I was hungry, clothe me when I was naked, took care of me when I was sick, and visited me when I was in jail. Mother Teresa probably read that early on. Jesus said, "follow Me" and she did!
I pray the “Our Father” just as you described every day. Great way to remind ourselves in Whose kingdom we exist and Who truly has the power.
There will be wars, rumours of wars
and there will be more pain
and you will have to bear with scars
until Christ comes again.
There will be trouble and travail
for this is not a world of peace.
When the Father ends this tale,
only then will come release,
so in His patience you must wait,
and in your faith abide,
and in the waiting don't equate
His Wisdom with your pride;
in haughtiness you'll be as wrong
as His Love and Grace are strong.
Another beautiful accompaniment to Sean’s beautiful prayer!!
Thank you Sean and Andrew!!
Shirlea, thank you so much...and I'm so honoured to be placed in the same approbation with Sean. Blows my mind, and increases my humility.
Now I have to look up that word! LOL
Amen Shirlea
My heart is not proud; My eyes are not haughty. I do not concern myself with things too great or wonderful for me.
But I have stilled…I’ve stilled my soul. Like a child weeps in its mother’s arms. So I am still…so still, my soul in me. From Psalm 131
Jan, this is a beautiful and profound Scripture, and so appropriate to these fell days.
Thank you.
God bless you Andrew!
And may He bless you, JD.
“ and in the waiting don't equate
His Wisdom with your pride;”
Perfect! (But don’t go all proud on us)
Allison, no worries. I came to writing sonnets from time spent writing advert jingles, and I embrace being called a hack.
Andrew, I love this. So very much.
Thank you so much, Nelle.
Andrew, I don't know how you do it, but your poetry goes right to my heart! Thank you for your words of wisdom which go so perfectly with Sean's.
I'm so glad you found meaning in these words, Sheri.
Beautiful Andrew
Sue, thank you so much.
Every day we start with our Four Intentions. To love somebody forward; To perform a random act of kindness; to pay a compliment to someone; To ‘Do Epic’.
Good!
Thank you, Sean, for this heartfelt prayer. I am almost 80 and I have never seen such hate in this country. Social media spreads it like wildfire. Yet, I recall that hate has been with us in the world since Cain killed Abel and Jesus was nailed to a Roman cross. Yet, our God is the Redeemer. He can turn hate to love and tragedy to triumph, like when Jesus rose from the grave. Some day (I think, soon), He will come again and set things straight. Until then, we should be His ambassadors to spread His love. You have done so today with your prayer. God bless you, Sean.
. . . not less of ourselves but of ourselves less. Thanks for that. And God help us to know how to live in this ever-more-broken world with JOY!
The perfect prayer, if only we could all follow it.
We can't. He can, and will, if we let Him! Remember. My yoke is easy. My burden is light. The hugh oxen is yoked to the young oxen (that's us) for training. He does all the work. We will eventually, be trained to do the work as we learn and grow up, with Him by our side.
Amen Zelda !!!
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and seek my face, and turn from the wicked ways, then well, I hear from heaven, and we will forgive their sins and will heal their lands
One of my favorite verses thank you
I am more than worried. I am sickened. Not just by an ideology but the actions of said ideology. My mind says no way but my eyes and ears tell me the truth. And it is ugly as hell.
Yep, SteveA, call it out!! I wish more people here would! It seems a lot Americans don't understand what's happening in this country.
Some have come about and wised up, but not enough AND fast enough, I'm afraid, to turn this sinking ship around. For a while, I thought the worm was turning, but maybe not, and definitely not fast enough. With what all Shitler Dump-pants is throwing at us to see what will stick and to see us get sidetracked from what everybody, including Republicans, WE ALL STILL NEED to know about his relationships with young girls; the picture he drew on Jeffrey Epstein's birthday card, the body shape clearly DEPICTS adolescent breasts as opposed to voluptuous adult womens' breasts, and Dump writes of his and Jeffrey's "wonderful secret". 🤫 One can only imagine WHAT THAT MAY BE. Hmmmmm😏🧐🤨🤔
I can think of nothing worse than a man who would take advantage of young girls.
He belongs in a Hell HERE on Earth and I don't think waiting for a divine retribution for him is smart; he's done enough damage to this country as it is.
Sean,
Thank you.
Help us to be still and know that our Heavenly Father sees and hears all.
At my next church book club, we all are to bring a prayer. I’m taking this.
Your prayer is heartfelt and genuine, Sean. We need to be students of one another, willing to learn what we don't know or understand, and acknowledge that we don't know it all. We do need to see others as more important than ourselves, and recognize that all people have value in the eyes of God because He made us each in His image. The line that I love--don't think less about ourselves, but think about ourselves less. We all need to stop thinking that we're the center of anyone's universe. That's still God's place.
Amen! If only people could stay in their own lane and not worry about the lane that someone else is in. Spend time with your kids and your family. You can't change anyone's ideology, you can only pray for them. Grandma said it best and it went something like this, "mind your own business". 🤷🏻♀️
If you, as a citizen of this country, cannot call out this hate and divisiveness from this so-called "leader", then you are complicit and a part of the problem.
Susie Susie Susie; always the pot stirrer. Taking a beautiful post from Sean and inserting your own agenda. The Zebra never changes its stripes.
With some people it doesn't matter how much you praise them, they only want to see how many likes they get. If the numbers are down so are they. When young people tell me they are something they read on the web to justify wearing their hair blue. I will tell them that I had no problem with blue hair but if you want blue hair own it, don't hide it under stocking cap. I pray every day for God to give me strength and understanding and that is just for my blended family. On the days we are all together I can smile because God gives me strength. Other times I excuse myself and go to the kitchen for a cookie,
....or ice cream! 🙃
A great prayer Sean! If we are asking for those things we might want to ask Jesus to come with us every day. When we go shopping ask Jesus to come with you. Better yet ask Him to drive. When we stop for a coffee and a scone ask Jesus if He would like one also. Revelation 3:20. He is our friend. Treat Him like one. Best friend we will ever have. Amen
Dan,
PERHAPS we should pray without ceasing.
Great advice! Rejoice and be thankful 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Profoundly written and very much needed, God bless you
Thank you, God, for this prayer, through Sean. There is the crackle of the Holy Spirit in it--which, thank God, is available to all the angry folk. Which includes me. And you. May our hearts grow wide like the sky...and may we all get off our devices and look up at it.