March 25 is traditionally the Feast of the Annunication, nine months before Christmas Day. While few believe December 25 was the actual birthday of Jesus Christ, it is the day chosen for the celebration, and thus the figuring of Annunciation. Whether or not there is any historical accuracy to the date, it is a handy day for seeking something hopeful amid the constant drumbeat of worrisome news.
The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church thus has called for a day of prayer on March 25. An email they sent includes:
We join with Pope Francis in calling for prayer…March 25, drawing strength from the Annuciation (Luke 1:26-38), as we are approximately nine months from the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite all to pray to God to rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic. And all are urge to pray the Lord’s Prayer at noon in their own time zones. In the words of Pope Francis, “We wish to respond to the pandemic of the virus with the universality of prayer, of compassion and tenderness.” As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection at Easter, we have sure trust and confidence that God will hear the united prayers of the church across the world.
It doesn’t matter if you are Methodist. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic. It doesn’t matter if you are nothing in particular. Focusing our thoughts together changes the way we think, and changing the way we think changes what we do. Why not join together with a good portion of the world in prayer today, whether at noon or some other time?
In introducing what should more properly be called “The Model Prayer,” Jesus basically said, “Keep it simple.”
Here is the familiar prayer in a couple of less familiar translations of Matthew 6:9-13.
From the Common English Bible:
Our Father who is in heaven,
uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom
so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,
just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
From 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.
Whether a traditional version or something from a more modern translation, the sense of it remains an expression of hope much needed today.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Peace.