Authentic

Father, grant that what we sing with our lips, we may believe in our hearts,
and what we believe in our hearts, we may show forth in our lives.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Giving Thanks day

The phrase, Thanksgiving Day, rolls off the tongue all too easily - without passing through the mind or the heart.  How about calling it Giving Thanks day?  That little "speed bump" might help our minds and hearts engage and connect with the One from whom all good gifts come.

The Lord's Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he told them not to use vain repetitions.  Then he gave them an outline to use in their prayer life.  Unfortunately, that very outline can become a vain repetition.  Let's slow down as we pray it.  Let's let words guide the thoughts of our hearts.

The first two words of the prayer are "Our Father".  Our Father, you have called us into a family relationship with you and with one another.  Let us walk as your children, as brothers and sisters with each other. Let us recognize your father heart that has adopted us as your own.  We love you, Father.