Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Holy Spirit Hear Us"1 (Lyrics)

I'm glad that I grew up in a church where The Lord's Prayer in unison was repeated meaningfully. We did not rush: Even we children could keep up, conscious of the meanings as we prayed with everyone.

Matthew 6:7a,9-13 – When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (NIV)

Now, I like to repeat The Lord's Prayer in the morning as I gaze out the window while my oatmeal porridge bubbles in the microwave.

But when I sometimes catch myself babbling meaninglessly, I have to trace back to where my mind separated itself from the meaning of the words.

Then, I tried something to keep my mind with the words of the prayer: I used the prayer to guide and expand meanings and related ideas for my prayers to begin the day. For instance, like this:

  • Our Father in heaven (And, Father, You are also right here with me in Your Spirit.)
  • Hallowed be Your name (May I hold Your name holy to the extent that others will be influenced to do so, too.)
  • Your kingdom come, (Your kingdom come in all the earth. Especially I pray for the people suffering in Nepal. Send people to share Your Spirit, Your Word, Your physical help.)
  • Your will be done (Give me, please, today, Your words of assurance of Your love and grace and eternity to speak to the gentleman I will visit who's dying with cancer.)
  • On earth as it is in heaven (Keep me reading and obeying Your Word so that my words and actions will be in line with Your way and will.)
  • Give us today our daily bread, (For Your bountiful supply, I praise You. Cause me to choose healthful foods — and not too many.)
  • Forgive us our debts (Those hasty words for which I must apologize.)
  • As we also have forgiven our debtors (Strengthen me to forgive instantly.)
  • And lead us not into temptation (Save me from selfishness. Cause me to be liberal in my giving for Your kingdom's expansion.)
  • But deliver us from the evil one. (Shield us from Satan's subtle wiles.)

This way of praying will be different and new every time it is used. Enjoy it, I pray, for Jesus' sake.

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About the author:

Isabel Allison
Roland, Manitoba, Canada

1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    I like this a lot!


    Thanks Isabel for an encouraging word.


    Thank you for today’s devotional, Isabel.


    Thank you for sharing this prayer suggestion. Blessings


    Thank you for a model of how to pray the Lord’s Prayer with meaning.


    I liked your personalization Isabel,
    Thanks for sharing,


    Hi Isabel;
    That certainly brings the Lord’s Prayer to heart.


    Isabel, thank you for this message. Great way to keep me on track and not just saying by rote.
    Blessings.


    I just wanted to thank you for the expansion of the Lord’s Prayer – I love the way you have added prayer within it. God bless you.


    Hello Isabel
    Precious. A contrite heart, that enjoys fellowship with the Redeemer of its soul!
    (USA)


    Thanks, Isabel, for giving us a new way to pray the Lord’s Prayer. I find having my prayers written down also helps me to keep on track and not get distracted when I am having my morning devotions.


    Thank you Isabel. That is so meaningful and we do appreciate your devotions today.
    We hope you will keep writing.
    Blessings.


    Dear Isabel:
    Thank for the beautiful devotional. I have found the Lord’s Prayer to be the best morning grace and one that should be lingered over and not rushed.
    Grace and peace be with you always.


    Dear Isabel,
    What a wonderful way to apply the Lord’s Prayer to our daily lives. Thank you for sharing your insights. May God continue to use your writing for His glory!
    Blessings.


    That devotional was very helpful to me as I sometimes seem to just repeat the same things every day.
    I will try harder to pray more meaningful prayers.
    Thank you.


    Morning Isabel,
    This is an interesting and helpful way to pray the Lord’s Prayer. I tried it and was amazed at where my own thoughts travelled under its guidance.
    Thanks for the suggestion.
    God bless, Iris
    (B.C.)


    Dear Isabel,
    Thank you for giving me an in depth understanding of the words Jesus instructed us to pray. This is indeed food for a Bible Study. We have the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday in rote and sometimes sing it. I will never repeat it in rote without applying it to my life. Precious few words but with so much meaning.
    God Bless you for sharing.


    Dear Isabel: What a coincidence that our new and first female minister should cause us to repeat our Lord’s Prayer also in sections, this occurring only 2 weeks ago. Interspersed between EACH sectional request, our Pastor expanded the meaning of those words to our greater understanding. You are right, Isabel, for our congregation has existed for over 60 years with our Lord’s Prayer often, I would describe, as only recited.
    I suppose, it gave us all one advantage for we have been able to take it with us wherever we went as a beacon to follow as a life guide.
    A well-chosen content for this day’s Devotional, Isabel. I would not endeavour to improve upon it since it served me well throughout this day.


    Hi,
    It’s good to know another sister in Christ uses the Lord’s Prayer the same way – and especially that her mind drifts while praying the standard form, too!
    Blessings.


    I personalize the Lord’s Prayer as I repeat it.
    Give ME this day thy daily bread forgive my debts and I forgive other.
    Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil
    I do this with a lot of scripture. Put names into some of them.


    This one of the best have seen please.


    Very excellent devotional. Great way of looking at the Lord’s Prayer. I will share this with as many people as possible. God Bless you.


    Thank you for this very helpful reminder about praying and the Lord’s Prayer.
    Keep up the good work.

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