I've always loved that verse,a wonderfull promise,but when I read your post just then,it looked almost like a threat.
"More than this, such should be uttered, not monotonously as has been all too common over the last few centuries, but with as much reverence and feeling as one can possibly muster..."
Amen.Though I'm praying that those who are watching will not need to muster anything.That their cup will overflow.
I sometimes wonder wether I'm getting excited (to use a poor word)or just plain scared at all that is unfolding.I'll set my face like flint,swallow hard and say "Jesus is Lord"
God bless us all.
In a sense it is, and always has been, since uttered by Jesus, both at the same time, depending on one's willingness to abide by G-d's Holy Law. To one who abides in the Law, it is the most wonderful promise which could be made to such an individual, a realm of perfect peace and justice. On the other hand, to one who refuses to abide in G-d's Holy Law, a rebel, an unrepentant sinner, it can, and should be construed as a warning, at the barest minimum.
As to my injunction as to *how* we should intone this prayer, I've long been distressed by how congregations throughout the entirety of the Christian church go about praying the Lord's Prayer, in a monotone, like a poorly memorized poem from a junior high school literature class.
When we say "Thy Kingdom come," it should be a statement of fealty to our Sovereign Lord. If we expect Him to recognize *us* as "loyal and worthy subjects" it falls upon us to state our allegiance to Him in a manner becoming loyal and worthy subjects to the greatest of Kings. A manner that includes joy, a deep desire to see, and be an integral part of , His Kingdom. A monotonous sing-song just doesn't cut it here. Say it like you mean it, and furthermore, truly mean it indeed.
As to "Thy will be done," that is a bit easier to explain what I mean. Even if you've never served in a military organization, the average person has at least *seen* how a soldier or the like acknowledges a command given by a superior. *THAT* is how those words should be spoken, in my opinion.
I have a belief that *this* particular thing may be something that could separate the the committed, from the lukewarm, or at least be an indicator.
Of course, this is conjecture/opinion only, but it rings at least potentially true to me...
the infowarrior