Picture this: pregame hype time in a locker room that smells like a fusion of sweat and teenage boy body odor. Speakers on – crank ’em up. Enter: the preacher. He’s the father of one of our players. He’s well dressed and serious. Everyone gathers in the center of the locker surrounded room. We take a knee.
Out of my teammates’ mouths are these words (led by the preacher):
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 1
I struggled to recite these words. I didn’t know them. Play any Eminem songs, and I would have grabbed a mic and led us to the bridge and back again. But this? Ha. I was clueless. Crank up Metallica and I got it. I’ve been listening to that since I was a newborn. No joke.
Are we serious?
Like our favorite song on the radio, we recite the words not realizing what we’re actually singing. Go back and listen to your favorite songs from back in the day (which was a Wednesday). Pay attention to the lyrics. Do we sing it the same? Maybe. Maybe not.
Are we serious? I ask it because if you pay attention to what we recited, you’ll see something quite frightening.
Our Stupidity is Laughable When We Do This
On one hand, our culture hates praying football coaches. But then we ignorantly tell people they are in our thoughts and prayers. What does that even mean? To have someone in your thoughts? Wow, you’re thinking about what happened. Thank you so much. I know now that I can take courage that you are thinking about it. Oh, and the same people who will burn a HS football coach at the stake for praying with his players (who are praying voluntarily).
How dare you pray at a school function! Yeah, until something bad happens…[shareable]How dare you pray at a school function! Yeah, until something bad happens…[/shareable]
I was the person, along with most of my teammates, who would recite the Lord’s prayer and then live as if it were simply a song on the radio. [shareable]I was the person, along with most of my teammates, who would recite the Lord’s prayer and then live as if it were simply a song on the radio. [/shareable]
God, may your will come to earth as it is in heaven. Make your name holy. Forgive us as we forgive others.
Oh, and have fun with that. I’ll be over here in the corner living as if you don’t exist or simply living as if you don’t matter. But good luck with all that stuff. It does sound nice…
The Lord’s Prayer is Scary for This Reason
Look at the rest of the story. God doesn’t set out to bring His will to earth as it is in heaven in a vacuum. He continually works through people! When we ask God to do such a thing, it should mean that we are willing to be used by Him to bring about His will.
Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Make your name holy, Lord (is what it’s really saying). May we honor your name.
Give us our daily bread because without you, we won’t eat. We are completely dependent upon you, Lord.
Forgive as we forgive. But please ignore my grudge toward my family member. Oh, and my friend too.
Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. But honestly, I like the temptation and the evil it leads to. I mean seriously, Lord. Why did you make sin feel so good?
The Lord’s prayer is scary because it is a declaration of God’s power and glory, yet the people who often pray it disregard His power and glory.[shareable]The Lord’s prayer is scary because it is a declaration of God’s power and glory, yet the people who often pray it disregard His power and glory.[/shareable]
The Lord’s prayer is scary because we recite it like a Backstreet Boys song (or Eminem or Tupac or Metallica or Bob Marley – I’m trying to connect with everyone here…) and we ignore what we are saying.
Too often, we pray the Lord’s prayer, asking God to bring His will and kingdom to earth and then we work our hardest at opposing that very thing from happening.
The Lord’s Prayer – Pray it if You Dare
So, you want to continue praying the Lord’s prayer? Then quit with the bipolar behavior (if you can help it -if you’re not actually bipolar).
Lord, please make your will happen here. And allow me to continue living as if you don’t exist. You might want to check yourself before you begin if that’s your attitude.
At the end of the day, we’re either going to be on God’s team or the enemy’s team. We’re either going to be a part of God’s will springing forth into the world or we’re going to be a part of the opposition.
And I’ve read the end of the Good Book. God’s team wins, so if you’re on the other team, you might want to request a trade. [shareable]I’ve read the end of the Good Book. God’s team wins, so if you’re on the other team, you might want to request a trade. [/shareable]
Let’s pray like Jesus, but let’s get to work with Jesus if we’re going to pray like Him.
His prayer is scary for those not following Him. But for those following Him? It’s a promise. [callout]Want to know God in a deeper way? I just released a FREE 4 week audio course + daily devotional called, Journey. Get your copy today![/callout]
