• About
  • Welcome!

Daughter's Heart

~ If I wait until my story is finished to write it, it will never get written.

Daughter's Heart

Tag Archives: Thomas Merton

Our Father…

04 Tuesday May 2010

Posted by Amy Ickes in Prayer

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Lord's Prayer, Prayer, Thomas Merton

Yesterday, we started talking about talking…to God.  Throughout the centuries, Christians have taken the time to write down their prayers and I’m so glad they did.  There are times when I want to say something to God, but don’t know how to put it into words.  I know the Bible tells us that when we don’t know what to say, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), but sometimes, I really do want the words.  Recently, for example, I’ve been praying the words of Thomas Merton: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.” 

Of course, the written prayer is the one Jesus prayed when His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray.  It’s one I’ve prayed so often that I have on occasion found myself just rattling off the words without regard for their meaning, and you may have too.  I think when we just repeat the words, we detract from the prayer’s beauty, purpose and power and we do ourselves – and even God – a great disservice.  I came to this realization a while ago and one day, I sat down with the Lord’s Prayer to dissect it and mull it over.  I wanted to look at it with fresh eyes and gain a new understanding of the prayer I’ve heard for as long as I can remember:   

My Father – the very reason for my existence – You are in Heaven but at the same time, You are right here with me.  Your name is holy.  You are holy.  I can’t wait until Jesus returns and You establish Your Kingdom here on earth!  Until that happens though, I want to do what You want me to do the way Your will is done in Heaven – quickly, humbly, joyfully.  Please give me today what I need for today – nothing more and nothing less.  I’m trusting in your provision.  God, I’m going to fail because I’m human and imperfect.  When I do, point it out to me so that I can confess it and claim Your forgiveness.  When someone does something that hurts me, give me Your grace so that I can forgive them.  When I’m tempted today, remind me that I can say no and I can choose to do the right thing because You have given me the power to choose right over wrong.  You are the Almighty God.  Everything belongs to You: all power, all authority, all glory and honor, now and for all eternity!

Have you ever read a prayer that spoke your heart to God in a way your own words couldn’t?  What part of the Lord’s Prayer is most significant to you right now?

Recent Posts

  • Shoe Shopping in the Wilderness
  • Wants vs. Needs
  • The Word Made Flesh?
  • Purity Culture
  • The Omnipotence of God

Archives

  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • April 2017
  • April 2016
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • June 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • February 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • July 2013
  • March 2013
  • November 2012
  • May 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • February 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010

#metoo Aaron Shust Animals Annoyance Anxiety Appliances Bible Study Children Chris Tomlin Christy Nockels David Crowder Band Delilah Depression Disappointment discouragement Distractions Doubt Dreams Encouragement Exodus Faith Father's Day Fear Forgiveness Freedom Getting to Know You God's character God's Faithfulness God's Goodness God's Grace God's Love God's Provision God's Timing God's Will Grace Greenery Hillsong Hope Jesus Josie Joy Lord's Prayer Mental Health Ministry Motivation Muppets Needs vs Wants Obedience Patience Planning Prayer Preoccupation Puppies Purity Recipe Relationship with God Rush of Fools Ruth Salvation Samson Satisfaction Set an example Setting an example sin Starfield Surrender Thankfulness The future The Gospel Thomas Merton Tim Hawkins Tripp Crosby Trust Waiting Worship

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 44 other followers

Twitter Updates

  • RT @Number10cat: On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.… 3 days ago
  • RT @KSPrior: Worse than wolves disguised as sheep are the ones disguised as shepherds. 4 days ago
  • RT @KatieJoVanDyke: Ok, my peeps. I am currently in the dreaded state of job searching. I live in the Houston area now, but I’m not compl… 4 days ago
  • RT @cndwrites: me looking over the new baby yoda memes every week despite not having seen the show and having no idea what’s going on https… 4 days ago
  • Another month heading into the same situation. Lord, how long? twitter.com/aymiejoi/statu… 4 days ago
I review for BookSneeze

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy