We all have a deep desire to establish a connection with the divine. It is universal, a desire that knows no boundaries and is deep within our souls, regardless of our cultural or religious backgrounds. While some may choose to conceal this longing, others may attempt to dismiss it or attribute it to various external factors.
Sometimes, we find ourselves seeking connection with others, only to discover that it does not fulfill our need to connect with the divine. In every relationship, we withhold certain aspects of ourselves, remaining guarded and preventing our true identities from being fully revealed. Can we ever be fully understood or embraced for who we truly are? If connection with other humans is difficult, could we ever truly connect with the divine?
Such a reality can be both daunting and disheartening. We strive to establish sincere connections with those around us, yet the inherent fear of judgment or rejection hinders our ability to fully open up. This hesitance springs from realizing that our search for divine connection encompasses a profoundly personal and vulnerable journey that others may not comprehend or accept readily.
Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that this yearning for divine connection is an integral part of being human. Embracing and acknowledging this desire can lead to a profound sense of fulfillment and inner peace. I believe the Lord’s Prayer is vital to this journey. It is both an invitation and a promise.
Though simple in its reading, the Lord’s Prayer is endless in its complexity. Each line holds within it an invitation to know the Divine, and as we come to know the Divine and all His promises for us, we start to find that we also have learned from this simple prayer. We are known, both by the Divine and ourselves.
In the coming weeks, I hope to expand on each line, each invitation, and each promise of the Lord’s Prayer. Each week will have a short explanation and prompts to help you learn to pray that part of the prayer. At the end of the series, I will have a downloadable PDF you can keep for your use. Here is the prayer taken from Matthew 6:9-13:
| The Prayer: | The Invitation: | The Promise: |
| Our Father, in Heaven | To relationship | You are not alone |
| Hallowed be your name | To receive | He is enough |
| Your Kingdom Come, your will be done, on Earth as in Heaven | To fully experience life | There is more |
| Give us this day, our daily bread | To peace | He will provide |
| Forgive our sins, as we forgive the sins of others | To be forgiven | We can be forgiven |
| Lead us not into temptation | To be led | He knows the way |
| Deliver us from evil | To be free | He can set us free |
I hope this will be a blessing to you in the coming weeks.
Brian is reading Rhythm of War: Book Four of The Stormlight Archive.
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Learning to Live 
2 thoughts on “An Invitation and a Promise Part 1”