10 Contemplative Days in the Lord's Prayerنموونە

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Help us not to give into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen

In case your prayers got stuck somewhere along the way in the weeds of detail and dilemma, this final line is where you climb your way back out to the point and purpose in which you prayed in the first place. There is a kingdom that’s not yours, but you’re in it. There’s a power that’s not yours, but it’s available to you when you ask in faith. There’s a glory that’s greater than what’s yours now, but you’re going to enjoy it forever. In short, prayer gets us looking at Jesus—all Jesus is, all he does, all of the Father as he has revealed him, and all of the Spirit as he has sent him.

At the end of this all, prayer isn’t about what you got out of it as much as who you got into through it. Prayer is getting you closer with Jesus. Hopefully, you’ve been learning that prayer, like any relationship, doesn’t always need words. Presence is enough. Presence is enjoyable enough. The person of Jesus you’re drawing closer to is enough to make the prayers what they’re worth. So as we pray the final line today, just let it set you on the person of Jesus himself.

Notice his kingdom and power, and what it does. Take time to let Jesus show you what everyday life difference his gospel is making. Turn that into a prayer of praise!

Notice his glory, and who he is. Everything Jesus does comes from the person he is. Look again at what he does, and ask him what you’re supposed to notice about who he is through that. Celebrate what there is to be known.

Pray all this for now, and pray it for forever. Jesus is our person for today. Jesus is our God forever. Pray him into all you know that is needed in both of those.