Big, Hairy, Audacious Prayer

Luke 11:2-4

Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

Lord, teach us to pray...

Teach us to pray with abandon,

not to limit our requests 

but to pray big

for the impossible.

Lord teach us to pray...

Teach us to pray with audacity

not avoiding the evil that stalks our world

but to pray into hatred and violence

for your kingdom to break out.

Lord, teach us to pray...

Teach us to pray with courage

Courage that names injustice,

calls it out, admits our complicity

and prays for lasting change.

Lord, teach us to pray...

Teach us to pray with conviction

that your will

is for love and compassion

to flow like a river

that the prayers of all whom you love

are heard and answered.

Lord teach us to pray...

Teach us to pray with abandon, with audacity, with courage and with conviction.

Lord, teach us to pray.