Our Way Home: A Journey Through the Lord's Prayer

by Daniel E. Paavola

When we pray, we're often hesitant. Hesitant to believe that our small voices will be heard by the sovereign God reigning in heaven. Hesitant to think we even have the right words to say. But Jesus gave His disciples—and us—the Lord's Prayer as a guide in our prayer life. This prayer contains words of confession, thanks, recognition, need, and praise; it's the perfect prayer model from our perfect role model..

Our Way Home invites you on an incredibly vivid journey through the Lord's Prayer to dispel your hesitancy and to discover the power, the beauty, and the depth of the world's most famous prayer. Author Daniel Paavola surrounds each petition of the Lord's Prayer with captivating imagery and storytelling that will animate your praying, making it a prayer you not only say with confidence but live out every day—in any situation and in every circumstance.

Perfect for individual reflection or small groups.

Genres: Christian, Christianity

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous book explaining both the depth and simplicity of this prayer I’ve prayed thousands upon thousands of times, since childhood. I appreciated Paavola’s tremendous word pictures that brought each petition to “life,” giving each one a tangible reference point from which our own prayer journey - which is really our LIFE journey - could grow. Jesus’ gift of the words to say when we pray is really the gift of forgiveness, life, and salvation, wrapped up in seventy reminder-words that give us confidence in the work He has done and is constantly doing for us. His Father’s will IS done, His kingdom IS come, our trespasses ARE forgiven, and we ARE delivered from evil. How often we pray these things, and how soon we forget their truth. I’ve so appreciated Paavola’s gentle and grace-filled explanations and stories, and will likely read this book again someday. In the meantime, I hope its messages remain vivid for me. What an encouraging read!!

[Janet Nicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not proud to admit it, but there was a time when I held the Lord’s Prayer in contempt. I remember letting myself getting rather upset when we prayed it in Church more than once in the same service. Instead, I placed value on impromptu prayers “from the heart.” Oh, that I could go back in time and slap my foolish self across the face. By the grace of God, I feel differently today. Still, I must admit that many times when I pray this most precious of prayers, I do so in rote fashion and miss the opportunity to reflect on the petitions and use them for meditation. Our Small Catechism is a fine place to start when we want to memorize the petitions and their meanings, which is form of true meditation. This book by Daniel Paavola is another treasure for the use of meditation on the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Way Home invites the reader on a colorful journey through the prayer using imagery and storytelling. He takes each petition to a whole new level by describing the whole as a journey beginning at home with our Father in heaven and travelling, with Him, down to our earthly dwelling, through the gentle rains, the storm clouds, the droughts, the floods, and back to the glorious and powerful Father in heaven again. The author is a professor at Concordia University Wisconsin and has served as a pastor in a congregation. His background as a farm kid helps to form some of his beautiful imagery.

I found this book to be a wonderful addition to my devotion time. It is best when read and digested a little at a time. I especially appreciated the ending where he encourages the readers to use their own experiences and stories to form some imagery that will enhance their own meditation on the Lord’s Prayer. I can say with all honesty that my time spent in this prayer has been enhanced by the concept of a journey and I look forward to forming some of my own images as I pray.

[Ruth Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Daniel Paavola compares the Lord’s Prayer to a journey from heaven to earth and then back to heaven again. We begin in the throne room of God in heaven, hallowing His name. As the prayer progresses, we bring the petitions to earth, asking for His will to be done, for daily bread, for forgiveness, and for help with temptation. Then our journey starts back toward heaven again, asking God to deliver us from evil (looking forward to heaven), and culminating as we revel in God’s kingdom, power, and glory. It is a unique way to view the Lord’s Prayer, and Paavola illustrates scenarios along the way to further enrich the reader’s understanding of each petition. The chapter comparing forgiveness to a flood particularly resonated with me. Since God has shown such abundance to me in forgiving my sins, how can I do anything but forgive others? It’s as if a friend asks for some water when our house is flooded. We’re more than happy to give as much as he’ll take. The final chapter was excellent as well, as Paavola recalls “snapshots” from the journey, encourages readers to personalize the stories, and offers suggestions on different ways to use the Lord’s Prayer in one’s own personal prayer life. It’s a book I encourage all Christians to read, especially if you find yourself bored with the Lord’s Prayer or rattling it off without much thought. It will give you a fresh look at the perfect prayer given to us by our Lord Himself.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you're a child, you do not realize the significance of the Lord's Prayer. You are actually speaking to the creator of the universe and the Lord's prayer is God's lesson to us on how we should pray.

In my Christian walk, prayer has always been a struggle and I cannot figure out why. How can it be hard when God gives you the blueprint to prayer? In Our Way Home, Daniel E. Paavola walks you through the Lord's Prayer and helps you gain the confidence to pray with power.

All those times that I prayed the Lord's Prayer I didn't really understand the depth of what I was praying. I had just memorized it and recited it over and over. Mr. Paavola unpacks each aspect of the prayer and helps you delve deeper into what it means to pray to our Father.

This is one resource that I can see myself going back to over and over again. As I was reading I was constantly highlighting things that I wanted to remember. When I sat down to write this review I realized almost half of my book is highlighted! A wonderful reference and resource!

Each line of the prayer is broken down and explained in simplistic terms. The analogies that are sprinkled throughout the book paint such a picture in your mind that you will not forget the principles taught.

I highly recommend Our Way Home for anyone who wants to enrich their prayer life and get closer to the Lord.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Edward Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Looking at the Lord's Prayer as a journey, a journey home. Paints vivid pictures of the introduction, the petitions, and the closing of the Lord's Prayer. Much to consider and ponder.

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Way Home gave me a new way to look at The Lord's Prayer. I loved the author's use of imagery to make the familiar prayer come alive in a new way. Every day I can pray the prayer Jesus taught His disciples and come away encouraged and blessed.

[Josh Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read on the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. I didn't always follow the major metaphor that the author uses for the Lord's Prayer, but still found the book insightful in many portions and filled with helpful illustrations.

[Michael Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paavola gives a good encouragement to continue to pray and study the Lord’s Prayer. The imagery of a journey is helpful! His use of story is well done.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed what he did with the Lord's Prayer. He has some very interesting and insightful illustrations and examples. This is a book I will probably read again.

[The Cook book nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful and edifying, and will leave a lasting mark on my soul.
highly recommend!

[Beth Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Way Home is a beautiful study of the Lord’s Prayer from a pastor and professor. Dr. Paavola shares theological insights as well as images and stories about this familiar prayer—which many of us can recite without even thinking—and invites us to see it with fresh eyes.

As the title of the book suggests, the Lord’s Prayer depicts a path to our eternal home, a path that we can follow moment-by-moment and day to day until He calls us there.

The book is filled with references and images from scripture passages and Luther to Jane Austen, camping trips, dairy farms, and wave pools. Dr. Paavola is a gifted story-teller who paints new pictures for us to see as we say this prayer. A great book for personal study and could also be adapted for a small group.