Here's what we're wondering about: The Lord's Prayer.
Jesus taught his friends - and us! - to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name:
Why do we call God our Father? Are there other ways for us to address God? Jesus called God, Abba: “daddy” - would you call God "daddy" or “mama” or something else? God calls God's own self: "I am" (Exodus 3:14).
What does it mean to have a heavenly father?
Why do we hallow God? ("hallowed" = holy or revered)
Who or what do you and your family hallow? Who are your children's role models; who are their mentors? Did you ever receive special encouragement from someone? Send them a text or email, or a note or picture, make a phone call, or say a prayer of thanks for those special somebodies.
thy kingdom come, thy will be done:
Does your family have rules (spoken or unspoken)? Make a poster and display it: “In our family, we. . . ” (Talk about what makes your family special: what do you like to do, and to do for others? Laugh, protect, play, hug. . . add your verbs!)
Go for a walk or a car ride and look for signs that instruct and/or protect. (Some people say a quick prayer while waiting at a stop light. Make it a family thing!)
on earth as it is in heaven.
Do you have a globe, map, or atlas of "our island home" - Planet Earth? Pick a place, and pray for the people and the environment of that place. Look up that area online and talk about the challenges they may be facing there.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Talk about things that happen daily. What do you need to live, day by day?
And bread! Sourdough, matzoh, pita, tortillas, Anadama. . . what's your favorite? Click here for a video of a bread factory in action.
And forgive us our trespasses/sins,
as we forgive those who trespass/sin against us:
“It's not fair!” is one of the first sentences we hear from our children, and that feeling of indignity at injustice never leaves us. What's not fair to us and our children these days? How can we forgive? Remember: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind. . . and love your neighbor as yourself."
And lead us not into temptation/Save us from the time of trial,
but/and deliver us from evil:
Fall's a lovely time to create a family altar. If you already have one, add or remove items. If you're starting from scratch, set aside a spot to place items that remind you of the power of God, of love, and forgiveness, of hope and mercy. It can be simple or fancy, it can change. Add a cozy blanket and maybe a candle (real or battery-operated) to make this space a hallowed place to visit and chat with God.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever:
Make a pillow fort kingdom, wrap up in robes and crowns, and chat about what makes someone royal; who earns their kingdom and the respect of their subjects?
What is power? If you have power, what should you, would you, do with it?
What does glory mean? Name or draw 10 glorious things.
Amen.
Amen means "so be it" - read the whole prayer through; add your own prayers, for what you are asking God to make be so, and shout a big amen. AMEN!
