Week 4, Thursday

Today, we share another “alternative” version of the Lord’s Prayer.  We often use The Message paraphrase by Eugene Peterson to help us hear the scripture in new ways.  Read Peterson’s  words.  What resonates for you?  Read the scripture again.  How does this change the meaning?  Read it one more time.


Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best—

    as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

    Yes. Yes. Yes.



Prayer Focus: Reflect on these last couple of weeks with the intentional exploration of the Lord’s Prayer and your own devotional practices.  How have you grown in your prayer life?  Which of these practices can you carry forward into Advent.  Continue to ask God to teach you to pray and perhaps write down somewhere your Advent commitment to yourself (and to God).  If you want, let Rev. Shanna or Rev. Ryan know your decision, and if you’d like them to check in from time to time about your progress.