Thursday, December 9, 2010

When "Christians" Aren't


Check out this example of what happens when "Christians" dump the "Our Father," i.e. the "Lord's Prayer," of the one holy Christian (catholic) and apostolic church for the pietistic "Ijustwanna's" straight from the hearts of men: among other things, the petition we need answered most and which our Lord invites, desires, and even commands us to pray is lost--along with the gracious gift of which it speaks.

Westboro Church to Protest at Elizabeth Edwards' Funeral

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this [Matthew 6:7-9a]:"

". . . And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

"What does this mean?

"We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of... none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us."
[Luther's Small Catechism explanation to the Fifth Petition of the Lord's Prayer http://www.bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php#lord]

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