The Lord's Prayer

FAST FOR THE WEEK: TIME
Go out of your way for others this week. Fast from indulging yourself time-wise. Get up a half hour or an hour earlier. Make it a goal this week: To daily bless someone else through your words or actions, to give someone else the gift of your listening ear—resist the urge to share your troubles and instead focus on someone else and helping to share theirs. Commit this week to doing something for someone else—help a friend move or paint, serve the poor, stop and help a stranger even if (especially if) you are in a hurry to get somewhere. Keep journal entries of what it’s like to spend your time on others.


As part of today's Lenten journey, we will forgo a Scripture reading and spend time praying the Lord's Prayer. Seek to make this ancient prayer personal to your life today. Spend a few minutes in silence, quieting your heart and waiting on God. When you feel led to do so, pray this prayer as sincerely and authentically as you can, seeking to engage with the Spirit's guidance throughout each request.


THE LORD'S PRAYER
"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.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, 
    but deliver us from the evil one, 
for yours is the kingdom 
    and the power 
and the glory forever. Amen.'" (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)


A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
Consider using the following attachment to guide you through using the Lord's Prayer as a pattern for your own prayer.