Two and a half hours last night. That’s how long it took before my body finally relaxed. Nothing in particular on my mind. Lots of worries; no one is immune to troubles, but it wasn’t anything that I knew God couldn’t handle, or give me the strength to handle.

I had accompanied my husband on a work trip to Durango, Colorado, a beautiful place to quieten my mind, rest and refresh my soul. I was most grateful to be able to do so, and I even walked a mile and a half one morning without knee pain. The humidity was low and the outside temperatures were 60’s to 70’s. I felt most grateful for this time away.

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Gratitude keeps me grounded and helps me deal with depression, as well as problems with my physical health. Gratitude helps me cope with the inundating thoughts of the struggles and troubles of my children and grandchildren. Gratitude for those sweet grands who literally drain my physical energy sometimes. The giggles and smiles and memories made as I celebrate the joy of getting to watch them grow. Gratitude which frees me from the chains of my past failures, all the while knowing I’m too hard on myself. The inundating thoughts, though, often times interrupt my focus on You, Lord. These thoughts which can cloud my vision and mind, thus taking the focus off all I am grateful for.

As I laid there awake, I prayed a prayer I only pray in church. I prayed The Lord’s Prayer, and as I did so, I really focused on the words and the interjected thoughts God spoke to me.

“Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…”. Oh God, Your name is above all others. You are glorious. I am in awe of You and all You have done for me, as Your child. Glory and honor I pray to Your name!

“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done…”. If that doesn’t give one hope, give me hope, I can’t imagine what will. There is a better place where all believers will someday reside free of mental, emotional and physical pain.

“On earth, as it is in Heaven…”. It is Your will for me to focus on learning how to be Your good servant here on earth.

“Give us this day, our daily bread…”. Literally and figurative speaking. People are starving all over the world, even in America. God provides me with an abundance of food … good food! … daily! Although I do not know the pain of physical hunger, I do know the pain of spiritual hunger. I hunger to be a better person. I hunger to know Your word more clearly. You are the “bread of life” and I hunger for You, Lord.

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”. I stumble and fall over and over again. Not only do I sin against others, which I struggle to forgive myself, but I struggle sometimes to forgive others when they trespass against me.

“Lead us not into temptation…”. The temptations of life are many. It could be a book in and of itself which I am not qualified to write.

“But deliver us from evil…”. Protect me from Satan who fights to control my mind and spirit. Protect me from the temptations which prevent me from obeying You, Lord … most importantly in obeying Your Ten Commandments.

“For thine is the Kingdom and power and Glory forever.” It is Gods desire for me, for all of His children, to reside in His Kingdom one day. It is His promise to me and it is one I have to remember to never take for granted. His power is forever. His Glory is forever.

As I closed my prayer, several people came to mind. A neighbor who is a beautiful example of her faith recently said to me, “Pray for grace today, just for today.” I took that to mean “one day at a time.” In so doing, with that daily prayer, I can focus only on today’s troubles, rather than yesterday’s or tomorrow’s.

I have a very dear friend and a very dear family member, both of whom lost a child. That must be the ultimate loss that no parent should have to experience. It’s a reminder to me, when life gets me down, the loss of your child has to be the greatest suffering ever. Isn’t that exactly how God felt when He watched His Son die on the cross for humanity? Even if it was His plan?

My troubles are few when I put it all in perspective, but may God give me the grace to get through each day with the troubles I may have. May I be ever grateful for time away to feel God draw me closer to Him. May I always count my blessings, regardless of personal problems or the problems of those in my personal circle of love. May I be ever mindful not all of God’s children will dwell long on this earth but they will be restored in Heaven, as was Christ. May I never again pray the Lord’s Prayer without intention and purpose.

Thank you to my new found friend, Lynnda, who God put in my path here in Colorado. Today while sitting outside with my coffee, she sat nearby, and said, “Hello.” We talked about God and she told me when your mind is clouded with “clutter” and you don’t know what to pray, “there is no prayer more perfect than The Lord’s Prayer.”

The Lord’s Prayer – The Perfect Prayer.

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