Father Ray Dobson’s Blog

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: […]

PART 2 — “This prayer is not for everyone” Given to Disciples Christ does not give this prayer to the crowds. He gives it to those who follow Him. That may sound uncomfortable, but is deeply important. This prayer is not a general spiritual reflection. This is the prayer of those who are being drawn

Part 6: “Thy Kingdom come” When we pray, “Thy Kingdom come,” we are not asking for something far away. We are asking for His Life to be lived—here, and now. In the original language, this is not a gentle suggestion. It is more like a cry: “Let…Make your to be Kingdom present! But what is

Part 5: “Hallowed be Thy Name” When we pray, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” we are not telling God something He does not already know. God is holy. Always. So what are we asking? We are asking that His holiness be made visible—in us. Not that God would become more holy, but that our lives would

Part 4: “Who art in heaven” After we say, “Our Father,” we continue: “Who art in heaven.” But we must be careful here. This does not mean God is “up there” somewhere—distant, far removed, looking down. In the original language, “heavens” is plural. It points not to location,but to authority. God is not one being

— Part 3: “Our Father” The opening words of this prayer contain more than we might first hear. We do not say “My Father.” We say: “Our Father.” That matters. This prayer is never prayed alone—even when we are by ourselves. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us, when we say “our,” we are standing with