Our...

Today in Christian Union, we began a new series looking at the Lord's Prayer. The task for today was to focus on the lines:

"Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name"

It was a successful session, with us getting as far as the first two words! Most of the time was focussed on the word 'Father' and the repercussions of its usage, discussing the cultural relevance between the culture and country of Jesus' day compared to now. It was aboout half way through the time that something clicked, and melded with something I had thought of a few years back.

While I was on Community at Lee Abbey there was a time where praying didn't come easily (actually there have been many of those throughout my time there and, indeed, through life!). The fact that I could sit down in the knowledge that others were praying 'OUR Father' was a comfort, because I knew that in doing this, they could be praying the words on my behalf. Today I was suddenly aware of the fact that praying 'Our' not 'My' Father is an integral part of the Christian faith; for the Church culture of today is very much focussed on a personal relationship with God, 'It's all about me!' whereas Church is about Community - people sharing life together., building each other up, encouraging and challenging. The Church, in teaching so much about the need for a personal faith, is encouraging the formation of a group of individuals who enjoy singing songs to make themselves feel good and safe, rather than a Church of God's people coming together to corporately (amongst other things) give praise and worship to the One who made/created/designed/formed us individually, yes, but in the image of God as a body.

Hmm, not sure where to go with this. Any thoughts?!