HAVE you ever thought how revolutionary the Lord’s Prayer is? It is a prayer that most of us know. It is the prayer that we used to be taught at school, and it is a prayer that many of us say daily, but are we truly aware of how radical it is?

There is much in it that we could stop and reflect on, but the part I would like to comment on is: ‘Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven’. What would it mean for us, for our communities, churches and our world if we were to see God’s Kingdom reign on earth? What would it look like? The truth is that in God’s Kingdom we will find principles operating at odds to the world around us. There is an upside down-ness.

Henry Nouwen speaks of a "downward mobility". It is about going to the bottom, staying in the background, choosing last place. People often talk about getting to the top of the ladder in their profession and in life, but the Kingdom of God is about working our way down the ladder.

So what would it look like? It would mean instead of wanting to be blessed, it would be about being a blessing to others; it would be about not so much receiving love but giving love; if we want to be honoured, first be humbled; if we want to truly live, it is about dying to ourselves; if we want to lead, then be a servant.

The Lord’s prayer is revolutionary, it turns things upside down, it’s uncomfortable and yet it is a way to fullness of life. The question is, are we willing to pray it and with that embrace what it truly means?

The Rev Phil Stone

Director, Scargill House, Kettlewell