Here we are at the end of the Lord’s Prayer. The final word
in this, and nearly every other prayer is ‘Amen’. It simply means “Let it be”.
We ask God that all that we have mentioned in the prayer be accomplished. Just
as Mary of Nazareth said to Gabriel “Let it be according to your word” (Luke
1:38), we offer our petitions to God asking that they be done.
Recently I saw a special on the Beatles. Many will remember
their song Let it Be. Although they
always insisted that the ‘Mother Mary’ was not the Virgin, many hearers still
hear her words in the lyrics. Whether the group meant to refer to Mary of
Nazareth, or not, the words are a fitting end to our study of the Lord’s Prayer.
They summarize the requests made in the prayer, and offer them up ‘Let it be’.
In light of a world where people are still at odds with each
other, just as they were in the 1960’s, we might indeed echo “And when
the broken-hearted people/Living in the world agree/There will be an answer/Let
it be”.
Enter the Presence: Read Mary’s encounter with Gabriel
in Luke 1. Put yourself in her sandals and say “Let it be according to your
word”.
Are
there things in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith like
Mary? Can you open your hands and heart to say, “Let it be”?
Stand In Awe: It can be hard to say ‘Amen’
to some things that God asks of us. Consider the lives of some of those chosen
by God, who didn’t have an easy time. Almost anyone in the Bible will fit that
description. There is a saying that "God doesn’t call the qualified, God
qualifies those he calls". Read through the list in this image and remember that
God empowers each of us to do what we are called to do. Are you willing to ‘let
it be’?
Involve your Heart: Read through the words
of the Beatle’s song.
When I find myself in times of trouble/Mother Mary comes
to me/Speaking words of wisdom/Let it be
And in my hour of darkness/She is standing right in front
of me/Speaking words of wisdom/Let it be
And when the broken-hearted people/Living in the world
agree/There will be an answer/Let it be
For though they may be parted there is/Still a chance
that they will see/There will be an answer/Let it be
And when the night is cloudy/There is still a light that
shines on me/Shine until tomorrow/Let it be
I wake up to the sound of music/Mother Mary comes to me/Speaking
words of wisdom/Let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be/Whisper words of wisdom/Let it be/
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be/Whisper words of wisdom/Let it be/
Do a ZenTangle of the word ‘Amen’.
Include things you are called to do.
Write a song or poem expressing your love for God and new
understanding of the Lord’s Prayer*
*From
Thy Kingdom
Come
