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The Lord's Prayer

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The Lord's Prayer

(Person): 'Our Father who art in heaven ...'

(God): Yes?

(Person): Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

(God): But you called me.

(Person): Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying.
"Our Father which art in heaven..."

(God): There you did it again.

(Person): Did what?

(God): Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven. " Here I am...What's on your mind?

(Person): But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done.

(God): All right. Go on.

(Person): "Hallowed be thy name..."

(God): Hold it. What do you mean by that?

(Person): By what?

(God): By "hallowed be thy name"?

(Person): It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means.How should I know?
It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

(God): It means honored, holy, wonderful.

(Person): Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before.
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

(God): Do you really mean that?

(Person): Sure, why not?

(God): What are you doing about it?

(Person): Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.

(God): Have I got control of you?

(Person): Well, I go to church.

(God): That isn't what I asked you.. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know.
And then there's the way you spend your money--all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

(Person): Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church.

(God): Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.
Like you, for example.

(Person): Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

(God): So could I.

(Person): I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.

(God): Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.

(Person): Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."

(God): You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

(Person): Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

(God): Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know.
That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am.
It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of your prayer...(pause). Well, go on.

(Person): I'm scared to.

(God): Scared? Of what?

(Person): I know what you'll say.

(God): Try me and see.

(Person): "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

(God): What about Ann?

(Person): See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family.. She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

(God): But your prayer? What about your prayer?

(Person): I didn't mean it.

(God): Well, at least you're admitting it. But it's not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside, is it?

(Person): No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor.
She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood.

(God): You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.
Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that.

(Person): You can? How?

(God): Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.

(Person): Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to get revenge on Ann,
I want to be right with you....(pause)...(sigh). All right. All right. I forgive her.
Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it.
Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it.
Some way, some how, show her the right way.

(God) There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

(Person): Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember.
Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.

(God): You're not through with your prayer. Go on.

(Person): Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

(God): Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

(Person): What do you mean by that?

(God): Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up.
Also, about the time you spend coffeeing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things,
perhaps you should rethink the value of those friendships.
Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up".
And please don't use me for an escape hatch.

(Person): I don't understand the last part.

(God): Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation.
You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess and I promise you I'll never do it again."
You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

(Person): Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.

(God): Which bargain are you remembering?

(Person): Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I were home alone.
The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out.
I remember praying, "Oh, God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."

(God): did you?

(Person): I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked.
I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.

(God): Go ahead and finish your prayer.

(Person): "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever." Amen.

(God): Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

(Person): No, but I'd like to know.. I want now to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life.
And I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers.

(God): You just answered the question.

(Person): I did?

(God): Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me.
And I see that happening between us.. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we can do together.


~By Ruth Carter-Bourdon~
 
Oh man! I can honestly say that I, and probably most of us, have had similar conversations.


Thanks Michael. :amen
 
Many repetitious prayers in liturgical settings in many churches today have become rote prayers with no meaning or purpose.

Rote prayers are prayers from memory, without thought of the meaning; said in a mechanical way.

Repetitious prayers that have become rote are more of a religious activity than actual prayer.

Religious activity may or may not edify the believer in his/her fellowship with the Lord.

Rote prayers have unfortunately become non-meaningful words of repetition for many, many people today.

Let us know what we are praying for with understanding so that we may grow thereby.

Our relationship with God Almighty cannot be developed via rote prayers!

  • 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

    9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    Matthew 6:5-15
 
When we look at The Lord's Prayer as an outline or model for prayer, instead of a prayer in itself, it takes on a new meaning and a life of it's own.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
(acknowledge who HE is and where HE dwells)

hallowed be thy name.
(remember that HIS name is Holy and above all other names)

Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
(declare God's kingdom will manifest itself on Earth just as it has in Heaven)

Give us this day our daily bread.
(a reminder to ask for what we need, not want, in food and Word, to sustain ourselves while on this Earth)

And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(a reminder that this is an area where we spend little time in prayer, but in actuality, we need to spend more time forgiving and asking for forgiveness)

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
(a reminder that no matter what, we will stray on our own and need the guidance and deliverance from all appearances of evil, especially the Evil One himself)

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
(a reminder that HE is sovereign in all things, all the time)
 
Vic C. said:
When we look at The Lord's Prayer as an outline or model for prayer, instead of a prayer in itself, it takes on a new meaning and a life of it's own.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
(acknowledge who HE is and where HE dwells)

hallowed be thy name.
(remember that HIS name is Holy and above all other names)

Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
(declare God's kingdom will manifest itself on Earth just as it has in Heaven)

Give us this day our daily bread.
(a reminder to ask for what we need, not want, in food and Word, to sustain ourselves while on this Earth)

And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(a reminder that this is an area where we spend little time in prayer, but in actuality, we need to spend more time forgiving and asking for forgiveness)

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
(a reminder that no matter what, we will stray on our own and need the guidance and deliverance from all appearances of evil, especially the Evil One himself)

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
(a reminder that HE is sovereign in all things, all the time)
EXACTLY! :thumb
 
: lol, we used to do this one for a skit with Sunday School, to teach the kids not to just pray by wrote, that it is actually talking to God and we shouldn't forget it :D
 
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