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A Revisited Devotional from August 8, 1999
Matthew 6:7 – When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. (NRSV)
Our church is a liturgical church, which means that our congregation follows an outlined service in a Book of Worship. We always say the Lord's Prayer at one point or another, and it seems that on this one particular Sunday, the words of the Lord's Prayer were being repeated very quickly by the congregation. We all say words by rote without thinking and without digesting every word or line. Do we really think about the words that Jesus taught His disciples in the Lord's Prayer, passed on to us?
When I arrived home that Sunday, I opened my Bible to the book of Matthew, chapter 6 and started reading at verse 9 and really thought about what Jesus' words meant to me:
Our Father who art in heaven:
Do I respect and honour Him in all things?
Hallowed be Thy Name:
Do I do or speak certain things that will bring disrespect and dishonour to His Name?
Thy kingdom come:
The kingdom of God is within me and will come when I follow and obey Christ.
Thy will be done:
Do I follow my own self-interests, or do I obey and step out in faith as the Holy Spirit leads?
On earth as it is in heaven:
Do I sit back and do nothing to bring about God's will right now?
Give us this day our daily bread:
Do I acknowledge that everything I have is from God?
And forgive us our trespasses:
Do I live as a forgiven servant of Christ or am I carrying many burdens unnecessarily?
As we forgive those who trespass against us:
Do I hold grudges when someone hurts my ego? I have to remember where I have been and what I have become in Christ.
Lead us not into temptation:
Do I really believe that God is alive today, tomorrow, and forever?
And deliver us from evil:
Do I believe that God is able?
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Not mine.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to meditate on every word that You speak to us through Your holy Word, the Bible, a gift from You to us. Reveal, by Your Holy Spirit, Your will for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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And so what is written is and alive Rosemary! Blessings.
Great devotional and reminder Rosemary. Thanks and God bless!
Many times I have repeated aloud the Lord’s Prayer in moments of crisis to find comfort and hope.
Very well done. Yes, most of us, if we admit it, would say that we do say the Lord’s prayer without thinking of what it means. I like the way you have written this. Thank you.
Rosemary, the good questions you wrote are penetrating. Thanks for showing me how to consume scripture more thoroughly.
Thank you for writing this!
Thanks…
…for reminding me to be more mindful when saying the Lord’s Prayer.
…for the meaningful way you asked ?? after each phrase.
Shalom.
It was very interesting reading your devotional that had been previously written Rosemary. Very thoughtful words for sure, as it is important to really take time and give consideration to each word of that prayer instead of just speeding through it by memorization. The Lord certainly has very good words for us to heed and obey to give us positive guidance in our daily lives. Blessings for your previous writing that still holds important advice for today.
Rosemary,
Thank you for writing this devotional.
I appreciate your writing.
It reminds me of needing to pay attention.
I find it difficult to look at my personal praying and my community praying
To look at the value of concentrating on my personal thoughts or the value of my mumbling words by rote.
Or
Just being awake in community prayers.
Anyways thanks for your writing.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Thank you for this devotional. It is really a help to me for thinking through the Lord’s Prayer rather than just memorizing it.