When our older son Noah was a little fella, we had a pillowcase with the Lord’s Prayer printed on it, except there were drawings for some of the words. A drawing of stars for “heaven,” for example, and a crown for “kingdom.” Whenever we got to the drawing for “evil,” which was someone making a mean face, Noah would say, “deliver us from mad people.” At first, I chuckled, but then I reflected on it and realized that’s actually a pretty solid explanation of evil in the world!

One of the things I especially appreciated about that pillowcase is not only that it helped Noah learn the Lord’s Prayer, but it also slowed me down enough that I could pay closer attention to the particular words and phrases. This is a prayer that we pray every week in worship, but how often do we slow ourselves down to think about what we are really praying, what the words really mean, and how our lives might be transformed through praying this prayer?

So in our worship services throughout the month of August, we’ll be taking a deeper look into the one prayer Jesus actually taught us to pray. School is also starting back up next week, so if it’s been a bit since you’ve been in worship on a regular basis, this would be a great time to get back in the rhythm. And invite a friend or neighbor to come along with you! Let’s discover together how praying the Lord’s Prayer can open us up to spiritual transformation in our own lives and possibly even the life of this world.

And speaking of the power of prayer, I want to also share with you this week the following reflections of Rebecca Bishop, the mom of a friend and classmate of a little fella in our community named Porter whom we’ve been praying for these past few months.

Tonight we gather to celebrate. The end of chemo for Porter. Ringing a bell. Thanking God for hearing and answering prayers. Showing up and loving and supporting Porter, Derek, Lauren, Amelia and Keller. A celebration that the wanted outcome is the actual outcome, that this family who has lived in survival mode, can take a full breath, can begin to plan again, can begin to see life look normal again.

The definition of awe is: “a powerful emotion of deep respect, wonder and slight fear or amazement in the presence of something vast.” Vast, that is the word for the depth of the supPorter squad. I continue to be in awe of all the people who have rallied around the Picketts. This tribe stood up, showed up, delivered again and again: prayers, meals, childcare, head shaving, t-shirt purchasing and sporting, house and life maintenance and management, more than I can name or even be aware of, because so many tasks and asks were handled and delivered silently, repeatedly, voluntarily. It is a thing of beauty to see what we can accomplish when we work together, how we can offer support to those we love when they need it most.

Studies have shown that “cancer patients with strong social and emotional support systems experience better treatment adherence, lower distress and improved recovery outcomes.” Is it me, or does that bring you to your knees? This could be true: what we need for a best-case scenario is to offer ourselves, our time, our encouraging words, our prayers? We have likely heard the saying that God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called. Which stands to reason that we are not asked to give something we do not have. But in turn we are asked, expected even, to give that which we can. Namely, ourselves. Sometimes this feels like the greatest sacrifice. But, Amazing Grace, does it deliver the sweetest, greatest reward. John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” One’s child, grandchild, nephew, brother, cousin, friend, classmate. Love: great risk, endless reward. 

As a Mother, I thank each and every one of you for all the ways you have shown your love for Porter. My youngest son has been Porter’s friend and classmate for three years now. I am humbled and grateful when we pray before bed, I can thank God for answering prayers, thanking Him for answering this prayer, that Porter is healthy and whole. We are so ready for you, third grade. 

Thanks indeed be to God for the holy privilege of approaching the throne of grace in prayer and for those occasions when we can see those prayers at work in our lives and in the lives of others.