The Lord's Prayer: 'A deep desire to connect with God': Reflection

Notes: "The Lord's Prayer was among the first prayers I learned as a child and it was among the first prayers I learned in Inuktitut, the language used among the Inuit in this part of northern Canada". "Jesus encourages the first disciples to come to God as a child would to a father -- a father who is there for his children, a father who takes an active interest in their welfare and needs, who has a desire to spend time with, listen to and teach his children". "Perhaps one of the most beautiful of all the teachings that Jesus imparts to his disciples -- you and me -- 'who have not seen and yet have come to believe (John 20:20) is the picture of the loving father, longing and looking for the estranged child [Prodigal Son] (Luke 15:11-32). How long, I wonder, did the father linger at the window, at the door or out on the land, waiting ? In the imagery we can see the father's effort as he runs to get to the place where reconciliation begins, the embrace as father and child come together. Now, I am not saying that all was then wonderful, but it was the beginning, and that beginning would never have taken place if the child and father had not longed for a relationship and had not both moved in that direction. For me, this beautiful imagery is one that encourages me as I seek to develop my relationship with 'Our Father who art in heaven'."; Author "is suffragan bishop in the diocese of the Arctic".

Subjects: Lord's prayer - Anglican Church of Canada; Prayer - Anglican Church of Canada; Prodigal son (Parable); God - Fatherhood; Father and child - Religious aspects - Christianity