Matthew 6:7-15

The Message
Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

NIV
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mounce
Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered, may your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their offenses, neither will your Father forgive your offenses.

Hebrew Transliteration
Our Father in heaven, holy is Your Name. May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sinned against us. And lead us not into testing, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

There is a simplicity.  More and more I find simplicity astounding.

Because religion likes finery and ritual – costumes that can be dressier than any celeb – the Sunday best of the congregation.  A show that must go on.  All to reflect the glory of God – to draw God down from heaven – this reluctant God we entice into our gathering.

And because religion likes conformity and control – “prepare for worship” the other side of the transaction.  Put on your mental and emotional Sunday best!  Make yourself worthy to meet your Maker.  You need to be worthy for He is about to enter!

And what do you think Jesus, Son of God?  Can you speak for our Father?  Can you reveal what His true intentions are?  Are we indeed putting on the right show?  Will He be drawn down to be amongst us today?  Is our worship up to scratch?

And I hear a whisper:

“K.I.S.S.  Will you ever get keeping it simple?  Will you ever get “he meets you where you are”?  Will you ever get “he knows the very hairs of your head”?  Will you ever get that he indwells, is a constant presence, is ever-present, is always ready?  Will you ever get that all your “religious stuff” is smoke and mirrors?  Will you ever get that the veil is no more?  The dressing up is no more, the drawing down is no more, and that  unworthy never was?  Our Father in heaven … give me strength (as we share a “LOL” together)!  :-)”

There is a simplicity.  I find simplicity astounding.  A nakedness I find appealing.  An absence of ritual … of finery … of “show” … a total absence of conformity and control you judge me on.  I find that liberating.  I find simplicity “gets me” more and more.

“K.I.S.S. Paul – always!”

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