I hope you will take your time this morning (if not this morning, today or tonight before you sleep). I hope you will say the first two words of the Lord’s prayer and linger long enough for them to stretch your heart. Say “FATHER” and realize that you are talking with someone so large and beautiful that His concerns and wisdom are necessarily different than yours. Don’t hide from Him! For a moment, worship Him, lay yourself before Him in glad surrender. Shape your prayer around Him and His will. Then say “OUR Father”. Even when we are alone with God, we are not alone. Our children, friends, church, nation, the whole “prodigal world” should be in our thoughts. Don’t just think of your needs today. Include others! The first two words are a quick start, but they cannot be done quickly. Runners are told to stretch before they run. Stretching your heart is part of the preparation for prayer, too, but it takes some time.
Beautifully written challenging exercise. Thank you. I needed to be reminded in this special way that it isn’t about me but about Him.