For some, God’s name is “Howard.”
“Our Father, who art in heaven, Howard be thy name.”
Or at least that’s what Anne Lammot wrote in her book, “Help. Thanks. Wow.”
Someone confided to her that for years, they believed God’s name to be Howard because that’s what they always said in the Lord’s Prayer.
Who says “hallowed,” anyway? Seems to be like an easy miss.
But, God is not named Howard.
For one thing, God has no gender, neither male nor female. But defines the attributes to which we give “male” and “female.”
For another, that line in the Lord’s prayer is not “Howard” but instead, “hallowed.” Which means, “holy be your name.”
For all the teachings Jesus gave his followers, he only teaches them to pray once, and is very specific in giving them actual words to say.
As years have passed, we don’t use the same words in our daily vernacular. But the meaning and power of the prayer remain the same.
Over the next several weeks we are going to learn the meaning behind the prayer.
May it become either transformational for us, or even moreso if it already is.
Check out these words from Matthew, paying special attention to Jesus’ instruction before the actual prayer. We aren’t role playing. We are communicating. Our bare hearts, making ourselves vulnerable so that we can connect to the Divine within us.
From Matthew 6:
5 “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.
Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Grace and Peace,
Andrea