Our Father...

 

 Christians around the world say this prayer every day.  It is a beautiful prayer, taught to us by our savior, Jesus Christ.  Christians say the beautiful words with their hearts, as well as with their voices.  But do we really mean what we say when we say this prayer?

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...do we ever take the Lord's name in vain?

 

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...do we really try to have God's will done here on earth by what we say, do, watch, and listen to?

 

Give us this day our daily bread...a recognition of our dependence on God's providence for the very necessities of life; knowing full well that the very talents we possess are gifts from God that allow us to provide the food we eat.

 

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us...THIS IS HUGE!  How often do we "forgive" someone, but still hold a grudge?  Still plan our "payback"?  Still talk mess about the person we forgave?  Look at what we are asking God to do - forgive us the same way we forgive!  Once you ask for God's forgiveness, it is over.  He will never bring up our sin again; he will not hold it against us.  Once He forgives us, it is as if it never happened.  How often do we forgive totally?  Remember, you are asking God to treat you the way you treat others.  This could have eternal consequences.

 

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.  Help us to avoid temptation, and if we do go down that road, we ask God to please give us the grace to make the decisions necessary to be delivered from the evil that surrounds us.