Spellcasting and Surrender

When Jesus' disciples ask him to teach them how to pray, Jesus gives them a prayer that's a recipe for surrender. Each petition of the Lord's Prayer takes the impetus off of us and puts it on God our Father, who lovingly provides and cares for his children. Jesus' prayer is not just an antidote to our anxiety. It's an invaluable lesson that when we reach the end of our ropes, grace is found when we reach not for control but when we cede to God what little control we might have left. In a modern culture desperate for quick fixes (including witchcraft spells for sale on Etsy!), Jesus' prayer is a powerful reminder of God's grace and sovereignty.