Pastor’s Corner – August 25, 2022

Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer Part 1

Disciples spanning the ages and circling the globe share a common prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Just imagine how many times this prayer has been offered. Just imagine all the situations that have inspired the use of these words of Jesus. Just imagine all the languages used to speak this prayer. Just imagine how much peace, wisdom, comfort, and inspiration the Lord’s Prayer has produced in the lives of Jesus’ followers.

In consideration of its significance and wide usage, I want to share some of my thoughts about the Lord’s Prayer.

First a word of my general impression and appreciation of the prayer. Jesus’ prayer is brilliantly brief, simple, and profound. The words are easy to memorize. I love hearing children intone the words. I am touched when folks who because of illness have forgotten so much can still join in with the Lord’s Prayer.

This prayer of Jesus is a vessel of Jesus’ living Spirit. We feel close to Jesus when we sincerely recite the words. When all other words fall short, we can still speak the words in ways that are meaningful and powerful for any occasion. It is a beautiful thing to hear the gathered community speak them in the worship of God. It is comforting to share them in a hospital room or in a memorial service. It starts the day and ends the day on the right tone to speak them first thing in the morning or just before sleep.

I invite you to join me in thinking about the Lord’s Prayer. I will be sharing my thoughts via the Pastor’s Paragraphs. Why is the prayer meaningful to you? When did you first learn it? How does it make you feel to recite it?

You are welcome to share your answers with me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com.

Let’s renew our commitment to using the Lord’s Prayer in ways that bless us and others.

~Marc