The pace of life has changed once again. The rhythms of our work are different – arguably for the better for some. We may worship in different settings, or in different ways, or even in different communities. In our prayer times, we may be pouring out our hearts, or we may be at a loss for words.
If you’re looking for words to guide you this week, consider these, based on Jesus’ own teachings on prayer in Matthew 6.
Our Father, which art in heaven
We are your children
We are yours
You are our God
In you alone we trust
Hallowed be thy name
Your name is holy
Your name is worthy of our adoration, trust, and reverence
We will call on your name:
- Abba, our daddy
- Jesus, our rescuer
- Holy Spirit, our very breath
- Jehovah, our Lord
- Jehovah Jireh, our provider
- Jehovah Rapha, our healer
- Jehovah Nissi, our banner
- Jehovah M’Kaddesh, our sanctifier
- Jehovah Shalom, our peace
Thy kingdom come
Bend my heart toward yours
Let your kingdom be restored on earth
and cast away the kingdoms and idols of our hearts and institutions
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven
Not my will, but your perfect will
Let us not be altered by want or plenty, peace or war, good health or ill
but trust in you for all things
Life now, and in the resurrection
Give us this day our daily bread
Help us trust in your provision, not our plenty
Help us to share what we have with joy and an open hand
Let us trust in you for each day
and praise you with the rising and setting of the sun
Let us remember, and help, those who lack adequate income, housing, care, food, medicine, safety, contact, and love
Lord, for those without food, bring justice to supply their hunger
For those with food, bring a hunger to be more just*
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us
During this lenten season, may we reflect on your resurrection
And in preparation for our own
Let us focus on the importance of those we long to join us
Let us nurture relationships in need of healing, restoration, and revival
Give us the strength to repent of our sin
Let us consider the words of our hearts toward:
- Those who have been hurt by churches and institutions
- Pastors and ministry leaders, exhausted and fragile after years of significant challenge
- Our family and those we love
- Our colleagues and neighbors
- Those in authority over us
- Those in our global community
- Those whose worldview we do not share
And lead us not into temptation
We know the evil one is real and seeks to rob, kill, and destroy
Help us draw closer to you during this time, that we may not:
- Seek comfort in isolation
- Allow bitterness to bury our laughter
- Allow fear and anxiety to steal our joy
- Turn on our neighbors, leaders, or global community
But deliver us from evil
Help us to meditate on Psalm 91
Singing, “The Lord is my refuge”
and help me dwell with you, Most High God
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
Thank you for the hope of our own resurrection
and all your promises fulfilled
in your kingdom come
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God
For ever and ever
Amen
Shalom means, completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. (Strongs H7965)
* translation of a South American saying
Photo: Doorway to Heaven, Big Sur, California, Joshua Sortino, Unsplash
