
(From September 23, 2022)
When British drama Line of Duty concluded, record numbers watched to see how its fight against organized crime would end. But many viewers were left disappointed when the finale implied that evil would ultimately win. “I wanted the bad guys brought to justice,” one fan said. “We needed that moral ending.
Sociologist Peter Berger once noted that we hunger for hope and justice—hope that evil will one day be overcome and that those who caused it will be made to face their crimes. A world where the bad guys win goes against how we know the world should work. Without probably realizing it, those disappointed fans were expressing humanity’s deep longing for the world to be made right again.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is realistic about evil. It exists not only between us, requiring forgiveness (Matthew 6:12), but on a grand scale, requiring deliverance (v. 13). This realism, however, is matched with hope. There’s a place where evil doesn’t exist—heaven—and that heavenly kingdom is coming to earth (v. 10). One day God’s justice will be complete, His “moral ending” will come, and evil will be banished for good (Revelation 21:4)
So, when the real-life bad guys win and disappointment sets in, let’s remember this: until God’s will is done “on earth as it is in heaven,” there is always hope—because the story isn’t over.
Reflect: Why do you think we hunger for hope and justice? How can praying the Lord’s Prayer help you face evil and disappointment?
Pray: Heavenly Father, may Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!
Gosh, I never looked at the Lord’s Prayer through that perspective. I like it. Thank you for sharing this 😊💙
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I know what you mean, and you are very welcome.
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I totally have looked at this prayer from your perspective for years now. The wording’s pretty specific, right? Not a lot of wiggle room for interpretation there! 🌄
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Good post, Tammy! Especially in the last three years of the pandemic and the very challenging last while, there is such a strong hunger for hope. I also find the news and social media feeds on negativity and all that doom scrolling also creates a demand for hope and hopefulness.
I agree with you that daily prayer helps ground me into something more hopeful and to remind myself to stay positive.
Have a nice weekend!
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I have to start my days with prayer. It’s the armor against the temptations of the devil through out the day, be horrible customer service, news or social media which I rarely bother with, lol. Enjoy your weekend as well.
I’m staying in, watching classic movies. 1st Sound of Music & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
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Great choices. Enjoy!!!
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👍
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… on earth as IT IS in heaven. yes.
Lovely post. May I share a haiku:
Hope drowned in darkness
emerges from the night time
bright as fireflies.
sending blessings.
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Beautiful ❣️
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How beautiful ❤
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💖
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Looking at this prayer through this lens gives a different/good perspective. Indeed the story isn’t over. Great post.
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🥰
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I think we hunger for hope and justice, because too often it seems evil reigns here on earth. 💞
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💞
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