Perhaps the most formative prayer of the church is the Lord’s Prayer. In Catholic tradition this prayer is know at the “Our Father”. Many congregations pray this prayer every week. Some Christians pray this prayer daily. And I know that in our staff meetings, we often use the Lord’s prayer as a way to lift up common concerns and pray for one another.
Some years ago our youth group studied the Lord’s prayer for several months. We studied what this prayer tells us about God, about ourselves, about others. Indeed, it was a formative series of lessons, and by the end of it, our teenagers and adults alike were moved by the impact this prayer can have in our lives.
A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This is a pilgrimage that millions of Christians throughout the centuries have walked, but it is much more than a physical journey across the landscape. It is, more importantly, a spiritual journey, an interior pilgrimage of the heart and soul.
Although I met many people of different nations and tongues, I was also struck by the realization that, if we were Christian, we all shared the Lord’s Prayer. This was a prayer that transcended nationalities, politics, religions . . . and even time. Praying the Lord’s Prayer with others (in many different tongues) was an extraordinary experience.
Give this a try. This week . . . pray the Lord’s prayer every day. Make it more than just a rote prayer, but ask God for great gifts, express gratitude, lift up your concerns. I have no doubt that you will discover a great joy in this prayer and make it a part of your prayer experience.
