Threading its way

After Matthew 6:9-13

It threads its way

from the salutation,

acknowledging

the kingdom,

acknowledging

the jurisdiction

of the kingdom, 

threading its way

forward and upward,

to the supplication,

the asks,

for bread, daily,

for forgiveness, daily,

as we forgive, daily,

and onward

the needle sews 

and embroiders,

to be delivered

from evil,

the evil one.

And we come back

to what was added,

a doxology of song,

a psalm, 

from the first years,

kingdom, power, glory,

amen.

The threading ends.

The embroidery is done.

Our hearts are sewn,

Embroidered together.

Amen.

Photograph by Anna Auza via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The prayer

After Matthew 6:9-13

It moves toward the end,

steadily rising, elevating

the voice, the head, the eyes,

as it moves toward the climax,

the grand conclusion,

the whole point of the prayer,

the whole point of the praying,

the whole point of the supplication,

the one presiding at the pinnacle,

the one who rules the kingdom,

the one who rules in power,

the one who rules in glory,

forever

and ever,

amen.

This is why you pray.

This is what you pray for.

This is the point of your prayer.

Hallelujah.

Amen.

Photograph by Tom Barrett via Unsplash. Used with permission.