Editorial September 22, 1973 Issue

The Prayer That Unites Christians

Naomi Price

There is a strong desire among many churchmen of differing Christian creeds to establish unity of worship. It is often the wonder of the non-Christian world that so many doctrinal differences have arisen between the millions of people who profess allegiance to the simple teachings of Christ Jesus. His influence for good has not waned but multiplied through the centuries. But divisions have increased over the years and—surprisingly, since Christianity is a religion of love—even quite bitter enmity has at times developed among the followers of the Master.

Despite appearances, however, there has always been, and is now, a point of consensus among the variously named Christian churches throughout the world—the Lord's Prayer. Sectarian differences seem superficial and fade into the background before the power of the thoughts that Jesus himself outlined when one of his disciples asked him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke's Gospel tells us he replied: "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."^{Luke 11:1-4;} And since that time to the present day, Christian have followed his instructions and used this prayer with only minor variations.

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