The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
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Some years ago I was
told the story of two monks who as they went to their cells one
evening after their late night prayers decided to each spend the
rest of the night praying only ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. The following morning after their early morning devotions they discussed their night of worship. The one said to the other with much enthusiasm that he had recited the prayer 365 times, one for each day of the year. The other said ”I only got as far as ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’ and that kept me praying deeply for the rest of the night”! The Lord’s Prayer. We ‘recite’ it at almost every service and yet do we really consider what we are saying to the Lord? I recently came across an article about this most well known and most often ‘recited’ prayer of the Christian faith, and would like to share some of the comments with you. I consider that these should be in our mind every time we ‘recite’ the Lord’s Prayer. ‘Our Father who art in Heaven’ How we thank you, Lord, for the privilege of calling you FATHER. Help us always to remember that you are our Father and Friend, but that you are not “our mate”. ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’ There are times Father when we forget that we are in the presence of our Holy God. Please help us to remember where we are, and to teach ourselves, our children and others why you are at all times worthy of our obedience, love and awe; and that your Holy Name be truly hallowed. We regret O Lord the way in which Your Name is so often used in vain. ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’ Father, is this where we fail you, through disobedience? Many governments have overturned your laws; replacing them with laws that satisfy our sinful desires, yet how often do we complain about these man-made ‘unholy’ laws. Help us Lord to remember to pray for governments worldwide. We ask you now, dear Lord, to raise up Christians in parliaments throughout the world to make Your voice be heard. Restore us Lord, we pray. |
The practice of sorcery
and divination is expressly forbidden in your Word, and yet the most
popular children’s books at this time encourage this as does so much
on TV and in films where Your name is taken in vain and profanities
uttered without restraint. Is this what we really want for our
children? Yet as Christians, so often we allow and even encourage
such indulgence. Have mercy on us Lord, in Jesus’ Name. ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ We thank you dear Father for all your goodness to us, but although few here in this country really starve, so many remain trapped in poverty whilst the rich get richer and mainstream abounds. We know Father that we as individuals can do little to assist the millions around the world who starve, but we pray dear Lord that righteousness and justice will prevail, and ask that all will seek after You, our creator God, for whom all things are possible. ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us’ Father, how often do we nurse both our hurts and grievances caused by others, often those even within our own families? Search our hearts dear Lord, and if any of us harbour bitterness towards anyone, help us to bring it to you for healing, and to forgive in love those who have hurt us, for we have been wonderfully forgiven in Jesus’ peerless name, and in whose blood the price has been paid. ‘Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil’ Father we fear to be put to the test, but when we are, grant us the wisdom, discernment and strength to fight against evil and to honour that which is good whatever the cost. ‘For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.’
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