In recent years I’ve been listening fairly regularly to the Daily Office Podcast based on the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. I used to
think that the rote repetition of the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers was kind
of a waste of time since it can be done without engaging our minds. However, my
perspective is changing, in part because I noticed that my mom can still sing
some hymns even though she can’t really communicate due to dementia.
As I mentioned in my last post, the things we think about repeatedly
can literally reshape our brains. We need regular doses of truth and goodness
to offset the many negative influences of our culture and habits. And when our
thoughts start to slip away, the most-traveled mental paths will last longer.
There have been many times when phrases from the Lord’s
Prayer have come to mind when I needed them, which has resulted in the
following meditation.
“Our
Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,” You
are the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, and yet You invite us into Your
family. You have supreme power, but we can call You “Abba, Father.” What a
privilege it is to belong to You! Why would we ever want to turn to anyone
else?
“Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In
these troubled times and this broken world, we desire Your kingdom more than
ever. We don’t know why You allow sin and destruction to continue, but we ask
for You to change hearts and lives to follow You. Limit the impact of those who
rebel against You and Your will. May we see how You are at work.
“Give
us this day our daily bread.” Most of us don’t feel our neediness,
because You have blessed us with the ability to earn a living to sustain us.
Yet every good gift comes from You, and apart from Your provision we would have
nothing. Keep us conscious of that fact so that we would be quick to share with
those who need aid, whether next door or around the world.
“And
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It’s hard
to admit when we’ve sinned or even just made a mistake, and yet we’re inclined
to judge those around us for every perceived infraction. Help us to forgive everything
from harsh words, rudeness, poor choices, emotional and physical attacks, to
even persecution and senseless murder. While we were yet sinners Christ died
for us, so we are enabled to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
“And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Thank
You that You don’t just forgive us when we sin, but You actively lead us away
from temptation. We don’t have the strength in ourselves to resist all the schemes
of the world, the flesh, and the devil, but by Your Spirit we can find the way
of escape. Remind us to look to You for that grace.
“For Thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.” It is
not our kingdom or power that will prevail in the end. Help us to remember Who
is really in charge. Because You are sovereign, we submit to Your power so that
You will be glorified now and forever. Amen.
© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
