Do we really mean it?

I grew up hearing and saying the Lord's prayer on a regular basis. But, for whatever reason the words simply became routine, something we did before bed or meals or at church. It wasn't until my adult life that I stopped in the middle of this prayer one day and thought, do I really mean all of this?  Do we really understand what we are saying? 

Asking for His Kingdom to come, His will (not our will) to be done, here, just as it is in heaven. Am I sure i am ready to ask for that, His Kingdom, His will, not mine?

Our daily bread, not weekly, monthly, yearly, but just what we need for today. I found myself asking the question, am I okay if he just gives me what I need for today? If I cannot see beyond Monday, February 6th, 2012, will I be content?

  

And then there is the part that I will admit took me a few weeks to say again. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. This is the only verse further explained directly after the Lord's prayer in verses 14-15  “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others,  your Father will not forgive your sins." This part comes with a stipulation, we must be willing to forgive others in order for God to forgive us. I needed time to process this part. I realized that there were people in my life that I simply NEVER wanted to forgive, and if I forgave them then I certainly never wanted to see them again. But over time as I opened my heart to God realizing that I could not ask Him for something I was not willing to give others. Have you ever wrestled with this?

Our final request in this prayer, Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. This is so comforting for me, that God would shield us from all that tempts us through out the day, and not only shield us but that He would free us from evil.

Today, if you're reading this Chapter I would invite you take a moment to pray this prayer really thinking about every word. For me I find myself more deeply connected when I sing. Check out the video below, maybe just watch her the first time, and sing along the second. Today, my prayer is for you to see and experience this anew, with fresh eyes, and open hearts.  - Aimee