September Writing
A recent joy filled
visit from our little granddaughters reminded me of the fact that my husband
and I used to kneel down with our children each night and pray The Lord's
Prayer with them. I think, as parents, we used this prayer with our children as
a teaching tool. We felt that the rote nature of this prayer also brought
comfort and security to our youngsters. Lingering over this memory caused me to
realize that the “Our Father” is no longer a part of my everyday prayer life.
As I contemplated the
text of the Lord's Prayer, I was drawn to the phrase “Hallowed be Thy name.”
Essentially it is a plea that the Lord's name be kept holy, revered, respected,
and cherished. It came to me that over the last 40-50 years many have been
dishonoring God's precious name. In fact, with worldly television programs,
licentious movies, ungodly rap music and internet entries, never has there been
a time in history when the Lord's name has been so frequently and disgracefully
blasphemed. And never has there been a time when so many millions of people
have heard and internalized this profanity either willingly or with reluctant tolerance.
It does seem that the
recitation of the Lord's Prayer used to be much more common among the members
of the Body of Christ. We have progressed so far in the area of teaching on
prayer, that I fear we have neglected the old tried and true basics. I feel
impressed to attempt to, at least occasionally, reincorporate the “Our Father”
into my prayer time. I wonder if any one else is feeling so led. It would be
extraordinarily powerful if the Church would, in unity, pray that God's name
would once again be honored, and that the desecration of His name would cease.
It grieves my heart that God's name is so widely profaned. It must break our
Heavenly Father's heart because He loves us so dearly and has sacrificed the
life of His precious Son that we might all be saved and sanctified.
My hope is that we would
all regain our sensitivity to the sacredness of that “Name which is above all
Names.” May we once again uplift and reverence the title of the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy
God in vain;
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless
that taketh his name in
vain.”
(Exodus 20:7)
Written By Cathy
Friberg
This is a wonderfully written reminder of the fact that we need to keep the name of the Lord holy and not take it in vain. Thank you, Catthy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
During times that I have felt my need to control the uncontrollable, I will pray, "..thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." I can release my troubles to God and do what I can with the one thing I can do myself right now.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I must so this many times. Like praying for those who speak His name thoughtlessly. May they feel the weight of their words, just for a moment, so they will remember to speak thoughtfully into those around them - every day!