The words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six have been foundational to the Christian faith since they were first uttered to the disciples 2000 years ago.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10
Over the summer period we have been using the Alpha Prayer material as a church, which is structured around the Lords Prayer. It has been a chance to learn about prayer, talk about prayer (around tables) and actually put what we are learning into action.
Several weeks ago a member of the congregation handed me an innocent looking piece of paper, a comment on the Lord’s Prayer that had appeared in the church newsletter many years ago. It was called: “The Lords Prayer is Dangerous” Check it out below….
The Lord’s Prayer is Dangerous
I cannot say OUR, if I live in a watertight spiritual compartment…
I cannot say FATHER, if I do not demonstrate the relationship in my daily life…
I cannot say WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up treasure there…
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME, if I, who am called by His name, am not seeking His help to be holy…
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE, if I am resentful of, or disobedient to, His Will for me…
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, if I am so engrossed with the business of this world forget the Great Giver, or others hunger…
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US, if I harbor a grudge against anyone…
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, if I deliberately place myself, or remain, in a position where I am likely to be tempted…
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL, if I am not prepared to fight it in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer…
I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not accord the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject…
I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY, if I am seeking the glory for myself…
I cannot say FOR EVER AND EVER, if my horizon is bounded by the things of time…
I cannot say AMEN, if I do not also add, ‘Cost what it may’, For to say this prayer honestly will cost everything!
