Welcome to the Village News' new interactive Faith section

Beginning with this issue, each week the Village News will feature a different Bible passage (or other thought-provoking message relating to Faith) so that readers can share their insight and/or opinion with each other.

This new, interactive section allows those of various denominations and faiths to participate equally and respectfully, sharing their individual thoughts, commentary, viewpoint and/or insight on particular Biblical verses and themes.

In addition, the Bible passage selected for the following week will be publicized so that readers can e-mail in their comments to be included.

All comments and insight shared will go on our Web site (www.thevillagenews.com) as well, so they can be reviewed and commented on further at one’s leisure.

Our hope is that this new format in the Village News will create respectful discussion and dialogue between members of the community who may not have the same religious beliefs but want to share their opinion on verses known by Bible readers of all denominations.

Our editorial staff is in the process of selecting and reviewing discussion scripture for the remainder of the year. If you would like to recommend passages for our list, we welcome that input at [email protected].

The Lord’s Prayer

(Matthew 6:9-13)

What does the Lord’s Prayer mean for Christians? Is it a literal prayer template to be applied or is it an example of a manner in which to pray?

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

The power and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen

(King James Bible AD 1611)

Art Blodgett, Pastor,

Community Baptist Church of Fallbrook says,

“With spiritual insight that only he could possess, Jesus shared with his disciples the kind of prayer that would be appropriate to speak to the One who ‘knows what you need before you ask him.’ (Matthew 6:8)

“It is simple, relevant and woven with words that express a daily, living faith in – and dependence upon – God our Father.

“Christians can be confident that whether the Lord’s Prayer is spoken as a literal prayer or used as a model for our prayers, we still have a God who knows what we need before we ask him.

“So, let us pray simply… as Jesus taught.”

Rev. Canon Wayne F. Sanders

St. John’s Episcopal Church says,

“Just to be a little different I wanted to say that St. John’s Episcopal Church always holds hands while we say or sing the ‘Our Father.’

“The symbol of the serpentine circle – it’s never a perfect circle – is that we are one in this family of God with all our imperfections.

“We claim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we pray those words from the bottom of our hearts. We actually feel the oneness as the Body of Christ in Community and as we make our journey as children of God our Father.

“We are always humbled to call Him ‘Father’ and remember that as children of God we must behave as such. We pray for that kind of reconciliation with and for all God’s children.”

Faye Hall

Christian Science Church says,

“When asked how to pray, Jesus gave the prayer that covers all human needs. The Lord’s Prayer presents a bond of unity, a point of convergence where all Christians can unite.

“The ideas presented in it are both literal and spiritual. It speaks to all humanity and generations as a perfect example of personal communication with ‘Our Father,’ the Creator of all.

“In Christian Science churches, the Lord’s Prayer is a vital part of every service. It gives an intimate, practical look into the mind of Christ Jesus. Learn it, love it, pray it sincerely and teach it.”

Jason Oakes, Pastor,

Community Baptist Church says,

“There is a scene in the movie ‘Finding Forrester’ in which Sean Connery hands his writing pupil a copy of one of his own articles and says, ‘Just start typing. When you find your own words, go with them.’

“Many times in my own prayer life I have been at a loss for words, and it is in these moments that I find prayers in Scripture such as this one most helpful.

“It is not the words we say that are as important as the trust in God that are behind them that make a prayer effective.”

Lori Freeland says,

“The Lord’s Prayer gives us a guideline as to how to reach that spiritual seed deep within. True prayer comes from within the soul, not just our mouth.

“Five characteristics to note and ask for in prayer:

“1. Recognize God for who and what He is.

“2. Acknowledge where our needs are ultimately supplied from.

“3. Forgiveness for others, as well as for ourselves.

“4. Strength to be all we are capable of!

“5. Protection spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

“Do you want your friends to speak to you methodically because they are obligated to do so? Of course not! Speak to God as if He was right there next to you (He is!).

“A true friend knows your soul and loves you anyway! And there is no truer friend than the One who created you!”

Next week’s passage for discussion:

The Broad and Narrow Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)

This parable speaks of the difficulty of living a Christian life. Is the life that God calls for his children one that can be lived by all, or are only a select few capable of living the life of the Narrow Gate?