The Our Father

 A prayer that we and many people learn as children is the Our Father, though the depth of wisdom and understanding I now have, in relation to this prayer, were only received through great personal suffering and personal insight. I have only understood the beauty, the power and the protection of this prayer as an adult through revelation, praying it and entering deeply upon a path of suffering with trust and confidence in the truth of the Word of God. As such I want to more fully share this learning, for it is deep and rich and overarching in its breadth. My husband and I pray this prayer often. I pray it slowly in the depth of pain. It is also a prayer especially helpful for the beginning and ending of contemplation and before other specific prayers which lead to a deepening of prayer life and assure us of God’s protection in all matters we pray for. It enables total confidence in the protection of Our Lord. For the more deeply we pray, the more spiritual protection we require.

So as we come to pray this prayer, let us open our hearts to the love and the truth and the beauty therein. Let us not say these words in dullness, out of habit and routine. Let us enter fully with faith and more than this, with knowledge that these words truly will protect us and bring us safe passage, through any circumstance, for they are a promise of  God with us and the life yet to come. Amen