(Part of The Way of Love Series on Fearless Faith)
Thy will be done.
I think most people still say “Thy” instead of “Your.” No matter how many new translations there are of the Bible, that line still sounds the best in King James’ language. Now and then I stumble into conversations and situations where I realize that many people do NOT know this infamous prayer of Jesus.
You’ll find its original version in the Bible in the sixth chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Matthew’s is the most like what we say today, and it has been in this form for centuries now. It became a traditional part of Christian liturgy. Traditions like this are nothing short of a miracle if you ask me. A story is told, a prayer is spoken, and for decades it is repeated until it is such a part of a culture that is becomes almost…well…law. A standard by which to measure truth. The non-negotiable facts. The unshakable verified affirmed and approved reality. But there are the laws of man and the law of God, and certainly Jesus was not making new rules. He was stating eternal law, that which has always been and shall always be.
“Thy will be done” is a bold prayer. It can lead you into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. It can lead you to courageous campaigns for justice. It can lead you to Gethsemane.
Being a Christian is not always a spoonful of sugar, as Mary Poppins sang, but it is a beautiful fearless way to live. With a simple, timeless prayer we express our dependance, our gratitude, our trust, our commitment, and our hope.
I encourage you to take a few minutes sometime this week and recite the Lord’s Prayer. Pause and consider each line and what it means to you. Think about the story this prayer tells of your life with God.
With love,
Pastor Kim
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Adapted from Matthew 6
OUR FATHER
WHO ART IN HEAVEN
HALLOWED BE THY NAME
THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTAION
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
FOR THINE IS KINGDOM
AND THE POWER
AND THE GLORY
FOREVER
AMEN