Week 6. Day 3 – Our Prayer

One God. In all, through all, above all.

Jesus said to them, “When you pray say:
Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”
Luke 11: 1-2

Perhaps we are not as different as my mother believed when I was a child. In the 1950’s, she preached that “being Lutheran” was the only way to be Christian, “Stay away from others, especially ‘those Catholics’ ”. 

Forty years later, I watch Father Pat bow low in reverence as the Prayers of Thanksgiving are spoken. I am worshipping with a Catholic community in San Luis, Colorado where I am a guest in the village participating in an immersion program to learn about poverty and hope. Praying together is central to our experience. 

As Father Pat chants the Great Thanksgiving in the Eucharist, I realize the words are exactly the same as in the Lutheran hymnal and grace is given “for all”.  Long lived barriers begin to break down.

Father Pat stands and widely stretches out his arms inviting each of us to take the hand of another “as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.” 

I stand perplexed. My strict German Lutheran roots had unfairly questioned Catholic communion. Now, I am invited to break open even more. The Lord’s Prayer had been a private prayer said aloud with others.  But with my Catholic sisters and brothers, it is a communal prayer, literally connecting to one another by embodying God’s love.

Beside me Juanita, gently takes my hand, her eyes extending hospitality.  I don’t refuse.  “Our Father”, she begins.  I join her and we say, “Who art in heaven…”  We continue reciting this Christian prayer, mutually proclaiming its universal truth of God’s love. 

Breathprayer:  

              Breathing in:          All Praise…

              Breathing out:        … echoing into the universe.

Reflection:  When has God invited you to pray with a greater understanding of his grace?

This reflection is written for the Online Lenten Devotion of the Southeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American.

www.seiasynod.org/lent