Hearing with new ears

I love it when I hear something very old and familiar with new ears!

I pray daily these things for my children (and for many others too):

1. That they turn to God more fully
2. That they allow God to lead them
3. That our Lord bring Godly people into their lives to help them, and that He provides them with all they need to know Him more deeply
4. That God forgives them for any sins they may have commited
5. That God protects them from being deceived
6. That God protects them from evil

So this morning I was at daily mass and the reading was about Jesus giving us the Lord’s Prayer. Father Jim gave a brief homily and one of the things he said was that within the phrase, “thy kingdom come,” the word “kingdom” could also be translated as “reign.”

And the doors opened and I heard the prayer with new ears. Everything in that prayer is what I already pray for my children, for my loved ones, for people who have fallen away from faith. It begins with “OUR Father … ” so as we pray we include not only ourselves, but all others from whom we pray as well.  And going back to my previous list …

• (That they turn to God more fully) Thy kingdom come … thy reign come … reign in their hearts and minds and lives, Lord!
• (That they allow God to lead them) Thy will be done 
• (That our Lord bring Godly people into their lives to help them, and that He provides them with all they need to know Him more deeply) Give us this day our daily bread! Feed us what we need to grow in love for you; help us know your will!
• (That God forgives them for any sins they may have commited) Forgive us our trespasses 
• (That God protects them from being deceived) Lead us not into temptation; protect us and guide us!
• (That God protects them from evil) Deliver us from evil!

Thank you, God, for speaking to my mind and heart this morning. Thank you for the comfort and confidence that you pour out when I am troubled and worried. Your peace is such a gift! Long before I ever knew what I really needed, you were providing for me in amazing ways. I am humbled and grateful and amazed by you. You truly are amazing and loving and kind and merciful … and above all you are HOLY.

 

 

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The Servant Song

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Richard Gillard of New Zealand
1976-77

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