How to Live the Words of the Lord's Prayer
Whitney Hopler
The Lord's Prayer is so familiar that it's easy to take the words for granted when you pray them. But if you do more than just say thewords -- if you actually live them -- the prayer will invite God'spower into your life and transform you for the better.Here's how you can live the words you pray in the Lord's Prayer:
"Our Father":
Pray for a healthy image of God that reflectsJesus' experience as "Abba" -- an affectionate term for a Father who loves deeply and unconditionally. God isn't a cold, aloof Creator who has abandoned His people; nor is He an insensitive judge who nonchalantly rules creation heartlessly. God is close toyou, pouring out His love into your life no matter what, and offeringyou strength and courage whenever you need them. Let your gratitude for God's deep love in your life motivate you to performselfless acts of sacrificial love for others -- just as Christ has donefor you. Recognize that you're part of a huge spiritual family: Allpeople are made in God's image, and fellow believers are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Since God is "our" Father, spiritualformation is about God, others, and you. Ask God to give you thelove He wants you to have for other people. Intercede in prayer for them regularly. Pray for opportunities to use what you'velearned through your own suffering to help other people who arestruggling in similar ways. Welcome and accept all people -- nomatter how different they are from you.
"Who art in heaven":
Since the God who lives in heaven hastaken on human flesh as Christ, He has made it possible for youto experience the extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary. AskGod to help you be alert to what He's doing in your life right hereand now. Don't try to limit God to just what you can understand of Him. He transcends all images and descriptions people use torepresent Him. Expect that you may learn something valuableabout God from interacting with the people He has made in Hisimage. Avoid judging people based on superficial attributes liketheir appearances. Get to know them and look for the Holy Spiritat work within their souls. Keep in mind that God is just as muchat work in people who our culture tends to ignore -- such as thedisabled, the elderly, and the poor -- as He is in other people.Look for reflections of God in every person you meet.
"Hallowed be thy name":
As you walk in God's constantpresence with you, you become aware of your own sinfulnesscontrasting with His holiness. That leads to humility, in which yourecognize just how much you really need God. Recognize your own unworthiness, and remember that God is the source of all of your gifts, accomplishments, and talents. He gave you life andsalvation. You owe everything to God, so live each day to pleaseHim, as a way of expressing your love and gratitude.
"Thy kingdom come":
God wants to use you to help bring moreof His kingdom to our fallen world. Your words and actions canhelp bring about God's intentions for the world. When you pray for God's kingdom to come, you help answer that prayer by engagingthe world and bringing peace, love, and justice to it -- one personand situation at a time. Whenever you respond to God's call inthe midst of ordinary moments by planting seeds of peace, love,and justice, they grow and blossom, expanding God's kingdom onearth.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven":
DiscerningGod's will isn't about figuring out exactly what God is thinkingabout every decision you face. Instead, it's about learning howmake faith-based decisions -- to let your faith guide your decision-making process so you can choose what's best. When youbecome aware that you're approaching a critical juncture in your life that demands that you make a wise decision, aim to respondthoughtfully and prayerfully, rather than simply react. Try todistance yourself from your ego (your obsession with self-concern,self-image, self-preservation, and self-gratification). Remember and respect the commitments you've previously made to God,other people, and yourself. As you reflect on various options,reject ones that will feed into a self-centered agenda and seriouslyconsider those that will help you draw closer to God. Think aboutwhich options are consistent with your values and the direction in
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