For the next 13 weeks we will be writing reflections based on the scripture passage, Luke 11:1-13 and its theme of Prayer. We will take one verse per week and invite you to join us in first meditating and digesting this passage slowly using lectio divina and then read the reflection. Our writers will be sharing testimony of how this scripture has impacted their lives personally.
For those new to our community, lectio divina is a traditional monastic practice of engaging with Scripture not just for intellectual understanding but to allow the Word of God to speak to the heart and transform our lives. It involves prayerfully reading the scripture four times, pausing to notice the following:
- Read the verse and listen for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights for you.
- Read the verse and ask the question, how is my life touched by this word? What in my life needs to hear this word?
- Read the verse and ask what is my response to God because of what I have read and encountered? What am I feeling, talk to God about it, listen to Him, feel His uninterrupted love and attention toward you and follow His lead in any way He is prompting you to respond.
- Read and rest in the Word and resolve to live it out.
Listen:
He said to them, “When you pray say: Father, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2)
Reflect:
Your Father, my Father, not a distant Father but one involved in each and every life. It is incredible! No matter our earthly experience of a human father, our Father in heaven loves us deeply. He created each of us individually. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Do you believe it? Do I believe it? If so, how then should we live our lives?
Whenever I read this verse or say this prayer, It is hard to move past the word ‘Father’. Do I believe He truly is “my chosen portion and my cup?” “He holds my lot?” Do I believe “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; and that I have a goodly heritage?” (Psalm 16).
This is our Father who is hallowed:
He is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer (Psalm 18)”
He is our shepherd (Psalm 23)
He is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27)
He is our hiding place, our teacher, our counselor (Psalm 32)
He is our hope (Psalm 42)
He is merciful and forgiving (Psalm 51)
He is worthy of our praise (Psalm 67)
He is faithful (Psalm 89)
He is king (Psalm 97)
He is good (Psalm 107)
He is our creator (Psalm 139)
He is holy, He is with us, watches over us, and loves us! His Kingdom will come, the new Jerusalem, and He will dwell with His people. He will wipe every tear away and death will be no more! (Revelation 21:1-7).
This is who He is when we say “Father, Hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come.”
Prayer of Response:
We love you Father and thank you for who you are, and that you are our Abba Father with whom we can freely approach without fear.
Questions to Ponder:
Who is ‘Father’ to you? What prevents you from surrendering to Him? Spend some time meditating on the characteristic that meets you where you are today.
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): Father
Exhale(Breathe out): Your kingdom come. (Repeat)
—Submitted by: Stephanie Edsall
Stephanie and her husband Mike currently live in Beverly Massachusetts, and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. Stephanie is on the Global Leadership Team of Lifesprings International and serves on the prayer team and PACT (Peace Amidst Conflict Training team) She enjoys baking, reading, gardening, hiking, biking, kayaking, traveling and pretty much any other activity that involves being outdoors.