Article December 19, 1977 Issue

The Depth of the Lord's Prayer

TAVE LORRENE ROLLINS

One day in my early teens I was suffering from an acute stomachache. My dad came to sit by my bedside, and cutting through the crying, he firmly told me to join him in repeating the Lord's Prayer. I remember a flash of resentment, wondering how he could so lack in compassion for my predicament. But he insisted and began leading me through the prayer. Before we reached the last words I was released from the pain that had seemed so real. In its place was an unforgettable sense of peace and well-being. This healing has remained a glowing example of the efficacy of the Lord's Prayer.

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "Our Master said, 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' and then he gave that prayer which covers all human needs."Science and Health, p. 16; What a remarkable statement: that all human needs are covered by this prayer! When we repeat it during church services or in praying for the world, we are affirming truths that heal human troubles of every sort. For those who long to heal world conditions and to help mankind, what better way than to follow Christ Jesus' teaching. In the journey Spiritward tyro and seasoned seeker alike are embraced in the all-inclusiveness and brotherhood keynoted by these opening words: "Our Father."Matt. 6:9;

Like the infinite nature of God, forever unfolding and sustaining His creation, the Lord's Prayer has limitless depths to plumb and freshness to discover—even after years of acquaintance with its words. I was helped recently by seeing for the first time a relationship between the Lord's Prayer and the experience Jesus had in the wilderness. Tempted three times by the devil, Jesus rebuked each suggestion in scriptural terms, standing unshaken until tempter and temptations were vanquished and "angels came and ministered unto him." 4:11;

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