It has been a LONG time, blogging friends! I am more prone to “micro-blog” via Facebook, but this was just too long.
Last night was one of those nights I couldn’t stay asleep. Unfortunately, when I’m wide awake in the middle of the night, my default is to check Facebook. I’m sort of glad I did.
Although I don’t know the circumstances, I can guess. An acquaintance from long ago had posted that her 30-year-old daughter passed away that day. Crushing. Horrific. No words can help.
My first thought was Romans 12:5. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
But then, when I couldn’t sleep, and I had exhausted what I knew to pray for this heartbroken mama, the words of what’s known as “The Lord’s Prayer” just kept playing on repeat in my head.
About the third time around, I started breaking down the parts of Jesus’ prayer. I don’t ever want to take Scripture out of context or make it say something it doesn’t, so I pray that the Spirit will change whatever words are not in keeping.
OUR FATHER
LORD, thank You that You have chosen me to be Your child through the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus. This allows me to call You my Father. What an unmerited honor.
WHO ART IN HEAVEN
You are the Creator of all the universe. Nothing in the created world can house You. Our physical skies are not truly Heaven. Your dwelling place is beyond human comprehension.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
You are wholly set apart: holy. Your name cannot even be expressed by Your chosen people. You are utterly perfect and can abide no sin. I am not to take Your name lightly or disrespectfully. You say You are the great I AM … same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
THY KINGDOM COME,
We ask that You come quickly, Lord. You are the Sovereign, to Whom we owe our very lives and Who is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, all-loving, and all-wise. We want that Kingdom to be established.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
You have shown us Your will in Your Word. I ask to be a willing participant in that will…that I would seek and follow Your will, just as the heavenly beings do Your will.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
I tend to want more than I need. But You have given me everything I need for each day. That is enough.
AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
This very much sounds like an “if-then” statement. I’ve been forgiven much. I owe it to all around me to give them that same grace and mercy. Conversely, am I forfeiting forgiveness if I fail to forgive others?
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
I know that You do not tempt anyone to sin. I am asking that You lead me AROUND and THROUGH temptation so that evil (or the evil one) cannot get its claws into my life. I do not want to trample on the grace and mercy You have shown me.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER!
Oh for the day when I see that Heavenly Kingdom! You alone have the power to get me there through the blood of Jesus. He glorified You. He asked that I, too, would glorify You. Eternally!
AMEN
I agree. I concur. Your will be done.
I’m praying for this woman’s heartache on the loss of her daughter. I cannot afford (nor can you, dear reader) to go a single day without accepting the gift of salvation that ONLY comes through Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. There is no other way. Don’t turn your back, or fall for the “all roads lead to heaven” lie. There is no “rest in peace” for those apart from Jesus.
And if you don’t know what to say … The Spirit translates our groanings that have no appropriate words.
