When we can’t find the words

What do we do when we can’t find the words to pray? This was the question the first disciples asked Jesus (see Luke 11:1), and it is often our question too. His answer to them forms what we call the “Lord’s Prayer” (see Matthew 6:9-13).

This is the last in a three part series which invites you to look deeper into this prayer, which is most often included in all kinds of worship services. The Lord’s Prayer is translated into more languages than any other prayer, and forms the backbone of worship prayers in more Christian worship traditions worldwide than any other.

Here’s the version we most often say together in worship: “Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

What does that last part really mean? DOES God NEED to be pleaded with not to lead us into temptation? WOULD God lead us into temptation? Hmmmm ... no.

Rabbinic prayers (which this is) often begin with the one(s) praying declaring truths about God upon which they depend. So in the Lord’s prayer, we are claiming the truth that God is “hallowed,” or holy above everything else in our lives. We then claim the truth that God’s will is above, stronger, and beyond all else – now and eternally.

Then given those truths, there is an assumed “We therefore KNOW that You:

- provide all we need

- forgive our sins/debts/trespasses

- lead us in good and right ways (not into temptation)

- and always deliver (save) us from evil

Then we finish with a final reminder (bringing us full circle in a sort of “prayer sandwich”) to the reminder of the eternal truths we may depend on above all else: All of creation (the kingdom), all of the power, and all of the glory, FOREVER ... belong to God.

Two things are happening here, God is guiding us – that’s the “lead” part, and protecting us – that’s the “deliver” part.

When we ask God to guide us, it requires us being willing to do two things – listen and obey. In our modern times, we pride ourselves on our self sufficiency, so letting God lead the way or tell us what to do may not be comfortable. Especially if what God is telling us to do doesn’t fit in with our plans.

Is it easy for you to stop and listen to God? Is it easy to follow God’s guidance? The amazing part is God knows that we may blow it. That’s where the protection comes in, I call it grace. It’s not an excuse to ignore God, but that protection is there when we make a mistake. Amazing, isn’t it? That’s God!