One thought that has particularly resonated with me lately is that when we say or recite "the Lord's prayer" or the "Our Father" prayer, we learn to pray more in God's will, and less in ways that are taken up with our own wills. Indeed, Jesus himself at the Garden of Gethsemane had to pray, "Not my will, but your will be done."
We need to be praying this prayer daily. Both in helping us in how we pray, but also in simply saying the words. Both are needed for us, as in set or liturgical prayers as well as spontaneous, personal prayers. Both have their place Scripturally.
Such praying can help us more and more towards living for God's will in Jesus, and not for ourselves. Along with reciting "the Jesus Creed" several times daily, I am trying to pray the "Our Father" prayer several times as well. I want to see God change me more and more as a person who does not look out for my own interests, but for the interests of Jesus. Not to say we don't have human concerns that need to be addressed. Scripture makes it clear that we do, and that we should come to God as we are. And God wants to change us more and more to be like his Son.
How about you? Has anyone reading this found liturgical praying (as in using prayers like the "Our Father" prayer, or such as I post on Sundays) useful in your own life? Or what would you like to share here?
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6 comments:
There is power and strength behind this prayer. It helps us remember who we and and how special we are to God. It reminds us that God is the giver, the one who leads, and protects. I believe with all of my heart that Our Father prayer is the richest prayer in all the Scriptures. Thank you Ted for this wonderful post. I appreciate our friendship and your encouragment. It means so much brother. Again, thanks for sharing this with us. I hope you have a fantastic week.
these are good thoughts for our mind and heart.
also there can be some good songs or hymns.
i am thinking of coming up with a list of those that i use to like that have some good words to them.
I don't do much liturgical praying or meditation. However, I have come to appreciate Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers.
I find them particularly insightful and meaningful to my soul.
Kinney,
Thanks. And thanks for your good words here. So much to learn from this prayer alone, and to practice!
Nancy,
Yes, it would be great to hear from you what you've found helpful.
ESI,
I'm sure the Puritan prayers would be helpful as they were such excellent students of God's word and of theology.
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