Ten Words, Our Beacon

Matthew 6:9 is our focus today.

At first glance, the title says it all. The Lord’s Prayer. It is His prayer. As a model for communication with the Father, it also illustrates the Father and Son's love for us. When we pray this way, we pray with Jesus. Imagine that for a moment. Just shut your eyes and consider what holding the hands of the Savior in prayer would feel like. Standing, sitting, or kneeling, as He calls to our heavenly home on our behalf.

“Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

The words “Our Father…” stop me. OUR Father. In this moment with Christ, we are in prayer as siblings. How many of you have been confronted by the lineup of your progeny when they want something? Their solidarity is profound. If you’re like me, when my children work together, my heart melts, and I am compelled to listen intently to their requests. Encouraged by their uniqueness and curious about how their individuality melds into a unified goal, I find myself agreeable to their shenanigans and eager to see them learn. They don’t always get what they ask, but I’m more invested. When Christ utters these words, we acknowledge our place in this eternal family as children of God. Qualified, able, and complete with the best big brother we could ask for to approach the Father with our needs. In that, we can be confident that He is listening.

Who art in Heaven…we know where He is, we have an eternal address. It’s not mystical; it’s not magical. We know where home is, and we hail our Father who lives there. It might not be exact grid coordinates, but it’s good enough to know where our citizenship belongs. Once again, my kids have taught me a little something about this. Some time ago, we started using Life360 for the new drivers in the house. I didn’t expect it would matter to them where I was. Goodness, that was a wrong assumption.

Not long ago, son #2 and I took the hubs out for a birthday dinner. While I was at the buffet filling my plate, I missed a call. My guys were already seated and eating when I got back and let me know that the “train whistle” had gone off. Only one person has that ringtone— son #3, who lives in a different state. I texted him a quick message to explain we were having dinner and that I’d call after we got home. His response?

“I was wondering why you were at Lings.”

He already knew where I was. The rascal had tracked me when I didn't pick up. This was not the first time a scenario like this played out, and I doubt it will be the last. But why? Because knowing where our family members are brings us comfort. Period.

I don’t think Jesus made a mistake or was uttering fluffy words. He was tracking our Father and telling us exactly where we could have confidence in finding Him. How lost would we be if we didn’t know where home was? If we didn’t know where to find our parents, our comfort, our calm? Jesus uttered these words, urging us to pray like this often. By doing so, we zero in on the exact place where we belong, where balance can be found or restored.

Hallowed be thy name…time to go to Merriam-Webster in search of the word hallowed…

Definition 1: Holy, Consecrated.

Definition 2: Sacred, Revered.

In the rooms of recovery, we often talk about being “right-sized.” In a world that is predominantly about self, power, and authority over others while megalomaniac egos run about, this phrase can bring us down a peg or two. My nature is such that I need to be reminded lest my ego inflate to a point my britches aren't able to bear.

So, holding a stranger’s hands when we close our meetings, I feel my head bow deeper as we say these words. Why? Because I remember that I am nothing in comparison to God.  I have done nothing that makes me worthy to call upon Him, to be in His presence. It is a gift that came with a sacrifice unlike any other.

As an addict/alcoholic, I forfeited my life. Jails, institutions, death…that’s the world’s answer to our disease. God extended mercy long ago by allowing Jesus to live, die, and be resurrected for us. As an added measure of His goodness, we find life restored in the rooms of recovery, and the way of restoration is so very simple, broken down into 12 simple steps. My wobbly legs always threaten to give out as I consider the extent of this. I deserve nothing and have been given everything. Hallowed truly is His name.

Sitting in prayer with Jesus, holding His precious hands, these ten words become our beacon.

The goosebumps are good. We are children of God. We know where home is, and our dearest brother has provided a way to open communication with our most revered Father. Could it be any sweeter? I don't think so.

Let’s take a moment before we go to sit together at our fire ring and watch the logs burn as we consider how much we are loved. Next week, we’ll look at the following phrase in this beautiful prayer—Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Until then, know my thoughts and prayers are with you.