Nursing Life: Spirituality

The Our Father or otherwise known as the Lord's Prayer is perhaps the best known prayer that is being recited by millions of Christians around the world. This prayer which is absorbed from the Holy Scripture particularly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke was taught by Jesus to his disciples as a manner of praying to God.

I was just struck by how the Author constructed his reflections in every line of this prayer. One thing that came into my mind was the thought of having this as a constant reminder in my day to day living. This piece challenges our faith to God as it projects a lesson why an individual should be consistent with his words and actions. What a powerful prayer indeed.sigh.


I got this from http://www.thisischurch.com/booklets/lordsprayer.htm

“Our Father"

I cannot say “Our” if religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say “Father”
if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.

I cannot say “Who art in heaven”
if all my interests and pursuits are on earthly things.

I cannot say “Hallowed be Thy name”
if I, who am called by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say “Thy kingdom come”
if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty
And accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say “Thy will be done”
if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say “On earth as it is in heaven”
unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say “Give us this day our daily bread”
without extending honest effort for it
or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellowmen.

I cannot say “Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us”
if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say “Lead us not into temptation”
If I deliberately choose to remain in a situation
where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say “Deliver us from evil”
If I am not prepared to fight
in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say “Thine is the kingdom”
If I do not give the King
The disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say “Thine is the power”
If I fear what my neighbors may say or do.

I cannot say “Thine is the glory”
If I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say “Forever”
If I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.

I cannot say “Amen”
Unless I honestly say
“Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”

Author Unknown, The Evangel, 3/27/85