Have you ever heard the Lord’s prayer being recited at a school assembly? The repetition of the words is often robotic. It was something you knew so well you could just mumble along with everyone else without even thinking about the words you were saying. 

I grew up in a lively church and went on Christian holidays, like Spring Harvest, where I was empowered to pray with passion and authority but for a long time the Lord’s Prayer didn’t fill me with much excitement. It just seemed like a bunch of words you had to say at certain times, it felt aloof and out-dated.

 As I grew in my faith and relationship with God I was brought back to the Lord’s Prayer. Instead of the monotone drone of school, as I started to re-read it, I started to learn more about Jesus - the way he discipled and the way he loved to help people grow, to give them the tools to navigate life and to live to honour God. I started to realise the true beauty and power of this prayer. I don’t think Jesus was giving a formula – “say these magic words and all will be well” – instead he was giving a framework to help prayer be an integral part of life. 

The prayer is a combination of praise, seeking God’s will, asking for provision and asking for forgiveness. It’s about an ongoing journey of reliance on God. The structure of the prayer helps me – someone who struggles with detail and order - to be able to pray in different situations. I was reminded that when we find it hard to pray, this prayer is a great place to begin. 

With my song, I started with the Lord’s Prayer and then started singing in response to the brokenness I had seen. My heart was hurting for those around me who were suffering, I felt helpless but God reminded me of the power of prayer and that when I don’t have the words or know what to pray,  I can seek God’s will and the advance of His kingdom. 

Singing this song helps me in praying for those around me – family, friends, neighbours – and for my country and the wider world. I Seek first that his will is done in my life and then also in everything around me. I hope this song will encourage you, minister to you and equip you in prayer.