This morning in our Friday morning Prayer and Practices meeting on Zoom with people from different states and one member from Kenya, we first visited and then shared concerns we lifted up to God in prayer together. It’s so good to pray for each other and for those brought to us out of concern and need.

Then, Pastor Steve led us in reading together The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13/14. The disciples had asked Jesus to show them how to pray. It helps to slow down and read one verse and then talk about what is gleaned in different perspectives. Our Father…not my Father, but Our Father. Inclusive, all of us have the Father and as we come to understand the impact of that we notice how often us – not me – is mentioned by Jesus; give us our daily bread…forgive us our debts…lead us not into temptation. God the Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit care deeply about each one of us…we are their children.

After we read intentionally through the whole prayer, we then read it in the Message translation.

Our Father in Heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best – as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I love that translation. Our Pastor from Kenya had never heard the expression “three square meals” so explanations were given! I especially loved Reveal who you are…set the world right…keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. If you’ve never tried this exercise before please do. Take a favorite Scripture passage and read it slowly. Think about what it means to you and glean a deeper understanding. We read some things like the Lord’s Prayer so often it can become rote. Let it speak to your heart anew.

What He said to me this morning was I rejoice when my children come together to pray and learn and be renewed in me. Be with me as you were with them. Share with me your heart and insights gleaned this day. Talk with me often and our bond will grow deeper and richer. Share your heart with me, commune with me in thankful praise, live this day fully with me and lets talk.

Reading from Hearing God by Dallas Willard: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18. Our Father is eternal and He is here and Jesus Himself taught us how to pray to Him opening our eyes to what is possible…real communion with the Creator and Sustainer of all our needs…our Father in Heaven who loves us.