10 Contemplative Days in the Lord's PrayerShembull

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

Here you are after ten days of prayer, and it’s time to say “Amen!” It’s a word that communicates closure, agreement, and truth, much in the way we’d today say, “Sure thing,” “True that,” or, “Absolutely!” The beautiful thing about “Amen” is that you can use it before all of the “happily ever after” has come true. So many African prayer traditions don’t bother asking Jesus for anything; they just skip ahead to thanking Jesus on the faith that it’s already as good as given. We’d all do well to pray more like that.

On this final day of prayer, let Jesus gather all that’s been shared and said between you. What was so true and agreeable that you want to pray it again and say, “Amen!” What was truly as good as given, even though it is not yet here, and you want to keep praying with a big, “Amen!” Maybe you want to journal some of these things so you remember what he gave you? Whatever way you do, gather up your prayers and keep going from here.