Audience - 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes

The wedding is almost over. We’ve heard scripture, the vows have been shared, the rings exchanged, the prayers given. There’s a moment of silence. Then an invitation to pray the Lord’s Prayer. The congregation joins together; praying as Jesus taught. Praying as they’ve done in churches and homes. Praying in the words that have been passed down for generations.

Our Father, who art in heaven.

I hear the congregation reciting the words. Offering them as their prayers. Joining together as the body of Christ. I offer my voice as well, praying with them.

But all I hear is one voice. A small voice yet mighty in faith and heart. I don’t need to look to see whose voice I hear above the rest. I hear it right next to me. The voice of a 6-year-old. The voice of the 1st grade boy standing next to me in front of everyone. His voice is so strong and sure even as he stumbles over some words and comes in late with others. He keeps praying.

I smile as he prays. The husband and wife smile, too. It’s a gift we get to share together.

He didn’t need an audience. He didn't need to show off or perform. All he did was pray the prayer he’d been taught. The prayer that he’ll teach to his children some day. The prayer that will see him through challenges and celebrations. The prayer that was meant just for him.

The prayer that we were all meant to hear from his young, strong voice.

Our Father, who art in heaven.

**All month I'll be participating in 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. Each day I'll take some time (sometimes 5 minutes and sometimes a little more) to sit down and write. It's about the discipline of writing each day. It's about listening to the words from within. It's about letting creativity work in me. I'll share my writing at some point during the day on my blog. Thanks for reading.