As we reach the final one in the series of reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, I’m listening to  the very appropriate Taizé chant “O Lord, hear my prayer” and I recommend you also listen to some music to help bring you into a peaceful, reflective mood.

Each reflection has begun with a different version of the Lord’s Prayer and today is no different, except I’ve found one which I hope will make you smile (I have a copy on my wall). It’s called the London Underground version (there are a number of variations):

Our Father, who art in Hendon,
Harrow Road be thy name,
Thy Kingston come; thy Wimbledon,
In Erith as it is in Hendon.
Give us this day our daily Brent,
And forgive us our Westminster as we forgive those who Westminster against us,
Lead us not into Temple Station but deliver us from Ealing,
For Thine is the Kingston, the Purley and the Crawley,
For Iver and Iver
Crouch End.

So, we reach the epilogue of the Lord’s Prayer “For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” What an epilogue and what a wonderful conclusion to the prayer! 

This is God’s kingdom in heaven and here on earth. We need to pledge our allegiance to God to bring about his kingdom on earth. Believing in the power of prayer and believing that God can and will change the world for the better, is the first step. We are asking God to bring his dynamic power to play in His kingdom now.

Living in the presence of divine glory is almost an other-worldly concept. Yet, there are times when we all unexpectedly catch sight of light in dark places; and when people who we love, show us true love. These are the never to-be-forgotten glimpses of God’s glory and splendour on earth. We pray for that glory to come more and more on earth, as it is in heaven.

If we believe and trust in God’s power and live as He taught us, we can enjoy God’s marvellous light shining across the world. 

Thank you for joining me on this reflective journey through the precious prayer that our Lord taught us to say. I have deepened my understanding of and love for this beautiful prayer. I really hope you have too. 

I pray that the words the Lord taught us will become the very foundation for your prayer life and will bring you much comfort as you feel closer to God. Believe me He is listening.

For the final time in this series, let us say together:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

With blessings

Rev Rona