Lent is the best time of the year to pray and especially to reflect on the words of our prayers, such as the words of the OUR FATHER —
- I cannot say “our” if I live only for myself.
- I cannot say “Father” if I do not endeavor each day to act like God’s child.
- I cannot say “who art in heaven” if I am laying up no treasure there.
- I cannot say “hallowed be thy name” if I am not striving for holiness.
- I cannot say “thy Kingdom come” if I am not doing all in my power to make this world a better place than when I was born.
- I cannot say “thy will be done” if I am disobedient to the teachings of Jesus.
- I cannot say “on earth as it is in heaven” if I don’t not serve the Father here and now.
- I cannot say “give us this day our daily bread” if I am self-centered and only seek “my” daily bread.
- I cannot say “forgive us our debts” if I harbor a grudge against anyone.
- I cannot say “lead us not into temptation” if I deliberately place myself where I know I will sin.
- I cannot say “deliver us from evil” if I and those around me are forever gossiping.
- I cannot say “thine is the kingdom” if I all I do is build my own kingdom and lifestyle.
- I cannot attribute to God “the power” if I down deep I feel I can do it all myself.
- I cannot ascribe to God “the glory” if I’m seeking honor only for myself, and I cannot say “forever” if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by my time here on earth.
Please spend some time reflecting on the words of the OUR FATHER.
GOD THE FATHER IS A PLACE OF SAFETY YOU CAN RUN TO. BUT IT HELPS IF YOU ARE RUNNING TO GOD ON A DAILY BASIS SO THAT YOU ARE IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY!
