Father Ray Dobson’s Blog

Table theology and inconvenient questions… A quick note: I am posting this in narrow format  to see if those reading via tablet or phone can read more comfortably  without shifting the screen from side to side Please comment I was working through John 8:44 and writing about the evil one as “father of lies.” Greek […]

Lord’s Prayer — Conclusion: Learning to Pray We began with words we have known for years: “Our Father…” And perhaps we thought we already understood them.But slowly, line by line, we have seen that this prayer is not to be simply said, but we are being drawn into.We began by learning we do not pray

Lord’s Prayer— Part 10: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” we need to hear carefully. God does not tempt us. So, what are we asking? We are asking: “Do not let me fall when I am tested.” Because testing will come.

DRAWN, NOT DRAGGED — Part 9: “Forgive us… as we forgive…” When we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we step onto holy—and difficult—ground. This is the part of the prayer that turns directly back on us. We ask for mercy… in the same measure we give mercy. That can feel

After the Long weekend we contine with parts 8 and — Part 8: “Give us this day our daily bread” When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” this sounds simple. Almost too simple. Bread. Daily needs. Ordinary life. But there is a tidbit hidden here. The word translated “daily” is unusual— so

DRAWN, NOT DRAGGED — Part 7: “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” When we pray, “Thy will be done,” we are not asking God to take control away from us. We are asking to be aligned with Him. In the original phrasing, this line belongs together with what came before: