Time For Peace (Letter)
As we recite the Lord's prayer, it's time to look a little deeper. Presented below is a version of the meaning of each of the lines of the Lord’s prayer.
1) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This is in reference to the first commandment. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Yet it goes a little farther to ask us to follow and respect the ten commandments that God has given us. It says that God is the father and that all are his children. That makes everyone brother and sisters. So should we not treat each other accordingly? Love thy neighbor as thy self.
2) Give us this day our daily bread.
When we were an agrarian society, we were totally dependent on the weather to grow our corps. Famine was a very real possibility on an annual basis. This could happen again as during the great depression and the dust bowl. If God created Heaven, earth and us, then god also created the food we eat. That’s why we say or ask for grace before we eat our meals. Jesus gave a way to serve god. "If you want to do gods work, then help God’s children! One way to help God’s children would be helping others get their daily bread.
C) Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
This is often recited but frequently a poorly understood statement. Trespasses = Sins. This could also be understood as wrongs done against us. This asks the question? If we cannot forgive others for slights, crimes and disrespect, how is God going to forgive us for all that we have done?
D) Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Every day we are tempted to make it all about me. In our real or imagined world we are tempted to hate, steal, cheat or much worse. Deliver us/make us aware of our capacity to do, and help us act in a way that helps god’s children. This is where you give up the right to be righteous and follow the teachings of god. When it feels good and imparts a séance of power,that is righteousness. When I think of righteousness, the Spanish Inquisition comes to mind or the beating of a brother whose only crime was being one of another color. We need to grow past the tribal law of an eye for an eye. Forgive and be forgiven.
E) For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
This is the hope for better days. This is the belief of passage to the promised land. This is a humble hand reached out to help with no thought of any reward in this kingdom or the next.
You may have your own religion and have similar sentiments in your daily prayer. Let’s think about of what we strive for, and come together. It is time for peace.
Amen.