for Sunday, July 25 (Proper 12))

Big Enough
Luke 11:1–13; Colossians 2:(6–)18

It’s probably pretty safe to assume that anyone who spends much time in any Christian church is going to pick up that church’s regular wording of the “Lord’s Prayer.” In fact, most advocates for “welcoming” churches recommend printing the prayer in full in the bulletin, or at least indicating where it can be found in the hymnal. I’m afraid that making a “lesson” of memorizing it tends to make its recitation a ritual rather than a prayer, so I don’t do it.

Talking through the contents of the Prayer, both here in Luke and the fuller version in Matthew 6, will certainly provide plenty of material for an unstructured worship practice. Look into other languages and other versions from communities with particular concerns. Discuss what other words might fit where and in what situations.

Props: The higher your pulpit, the better it’s suited to tours and discussions of the very practical concerns for acoustics in times before sound systems. Well, in addition to those of authority.

Musical ideas: If your group is really getting into the Prayer, there are any number of musical and poetical settings. Try choral and responsive readings to prompt attention to the content of the Prayer.