Friday, August 12, 2011

Dearest God,

When you taught your disciples to pray, did you know that billions would pray that prayer? Did you know that believers would sing it, artists would paint the scene, and dancers would move to it? Did you know?

This morning I received an email with a link to a musical performance by Andrea Bocelli and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing, The Lord's Prayer. As the harpist played the first chords, tears welled in my eyes as I listened to the choir sing the first words, "Our father..."

Did you know we would sing your prayer? Did you know our hearts would tug, our souls would empty themselves of debris, our minds would discard our hatred as we sang? Did you know the profound influence your prayer would have on us? Did you know that faith would be birthed by your beloved words? Did you know our hearts would be converted? Did you know peace would come if only for a moment, an hour, a day? Did you know as we lived our faith led by your words, you would change tiny corners of the earth?

As I listened I felt as if I were there with you, listening from the kitchen hearing your words of loving grace to ordinary men. I wept realizing how little I live my faith every moment of every day. Oh, if only my heart were permanently yours; if only I believed faith was more important than my daily busyness, my distractions, wants and desires. Oh, if only I gave my heart more to you than the little gods around me. Oh, how much the world could be so different, if only.

Your words, your prayer so beautifully sung, challenged me once again to reconsider my priorities, my petty thoughts, and my attitudes and beliefs. I was drawn low to your knees asking for your help to build my life of faith from your words. After all, what is life if it does not emanate from something more valuable than anything else I give myself to?

Heavenly Father,
Great and Loving Parent,
hallowed be
your name indeed.
What love
you must
have felt
for your followers
as you shared
your prayer
of faith
with them.
How much trust
you must
have put
into them.
As I
sang along
this morning,
I recognized
the sound
of voices
who have
sung it
throughout the ages
and I
was reminded
to reconsider
my life's
daily living,
my commitments,
and loyalties.
Keep me close
to you,
Great Redeemer;
lay me low,
lift me high,
stretch me out
on a plateau
but keep me close
to you,
I pray.

Love, Andrea