The Lord's Prayer: A Lens for the Day

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

Isaiah 55:10-11 / Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 / Matthew 6:7-15

The Lord’s Prayer: A Lens for the Day

When Jesus says, “This is how you are to pray,” he also means, this is how you are to live. To receive the prayer of Jesus is to make it one’s own and to relate to the Father as Jesus does. Evelyn Underhill suggested that each day of the week we might take one of the seven petitions as the focus of our prayer and activity. The loving repetition of each day’s phrase can be a lens through which one’s daily activity is viewed. Another approach would be to use the Lord’s Prayer as an examination of conscience or an invitation to give thanks at the end of each day – either the entire prayer, or a line each day. Here is an example:

Our Father who art in heaven: Is God at the center of my life, or just one among other influences and concerns? I give thanks for being a child of God, the apple of his eye.

…hallowed be thy name: Do I hallow God’s name and every other person’s name I speak? Do I gossip about others or am I unfair in my criticism? I offer thanks that I bear the name “Christian.”

…thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven: Am I open to God’s influence at every moment in my life today? Do I try to discern God’s will for me? Do I choose selfishly or act responsibly? Do I set my heart on material things, forgetting to weigh all things in light of my eternal destiny? Do I neglect my legitimate responsibilities toward family, friends, neighbors, strangers, creation? I give thanks for God’s design for my life. I give thanks for the “beauty of the earth” and for the glory of my call to share eternal life with the saints.

Give us this day our daily bread… Do I trust God to provide everything I need and then act accordingly? Do I earn my living honestly? Do I share my possessions for the good of all? Do I think and act in the best interests of the hungry and the poor? Do I make healthy choices in my eating? I give thanks for what God has provided.

…and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us: Do I hold grudges? Do I ask God to forgive me when I am not willing to forgive others? Do I apply the same standards of mercy and justice to myself and others? Do I judge my behavior by the gospel, or by another standard? Am I humble enough to admit my own wrongdoing and make amends when I am able? I give thanks for the forgiveness God offers me in Jesus, and for the forgiveness others have offered me.

…and lead us not into temptation: Do I place myself in situations that might lead me to sin (the near occasion of sin), or do I make sure that I avoid situations that might lead me to act contrary to Christ’s love? I give thanks for the ways God helps me to choose well, to choose life.

…but deliver us from evil: Do I trust the Lord to work all things to my good, even hardship and struggles? Do I take unnecessary risks that endanger my safety or that of others? Do I lack the courage to stand up for what is right? I give thanks for the ways God protects me.