YouTube: Open Your Mind
Audio: Open Your Mind
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …
In this first line of the Lord’s Prayer, we are exposed to three important ideas. We can think of these ideas as a preparatory mindset that opens us to receive.
Our Father suggests a loving relationship with God. Jesus was raised in a culture that taught God was punishing. He taught that God would not give you a serpent if you ask for a fish, or a stone if you ask for bread. This form of address carries the idea of God as a supportive parent. How different this is to the thought that we may not be deserving or worthy of the good we ask for. We are to approach God as if God were a loving parent.
Who art in heaven, carries a meaning that is not readily apparent to one who thinks of heaven as a place in the sky. Jesus compared heaven to yeast in bread dough and a mustard see that expands into a tree. Heaven carries the idea of expansion. When you pray, open your mind to new possibilities. Let go of your old perceptions. Allow your level of expectation to expand into the realm of infinite possibility.
Hallowed be thy name is an affirmation of God as wholeness. The wholeness you seek, whether it is in the form of health, a solution to a problem or a prosperity challenge is present right now. Wholeness is the nature of God. In other words, act as if that which you seek, that which is for your highest good is already present. You become receptive and expectant of this good.
Become conscious of these three ideas. Practice them all even if you do not use this exact prayer. They will help open your mind to the good you desire.
J Douglas Bottorff 
Thank you for this series on the Gems of Jesus. I’m in catchup mode listening to the past few weeks.
Re: The Lord’s Prayer: I believe this is actually meant as an affirmation of the provision and beneficence of our Heavenly (spiritual) Father. If you insert the word YOU as set out below, it reads,
(YOU) give us this day our daily bread (spiritual sustenance);
(YOU) forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,
(YOU) lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. . .
To me, this eliminates the sense of begging our Father to give us what Jesus told us is ‘the Father’s good pleasure to give us.’ It also eliminates believing that God would lead us into temptation, something I always found not in keeping with my understanding of the Father/God Jesus proclaimed. Perhaps the word YOU is meant to be understood, but was not written in the scriptures that were transcribed? Blessings!
Yes, this prayer offers comfort and encouragement on many levels. It is definitely worth revisiting in thoughtful and mindful ways. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks@