Fr. Steve Porter, STL

The Our Father

The prayer that convicts us!

• Don’t say: “Our Father”
  • if you’re not going to behave like a son or daughter, or treat others like brothers and sisters;
• Don’t say: “who art in heaven”
  • if you’re only thinking of and loving earthly stuff;
• Don’t say: “hallowed be thy name”
  • if you’re only interested in the false gods of materialism;
• Don’t say: “thy kingdom come”
  • if you don’t believe, or are not preparing yourself for it;
• Don’t say: “thy will be done”
  • if you’re not willing to accept suffering along with the good;
• Don’t say: “on earth as it is in heaven”
  • if you don’t believe in eternal life;
• Don’t say: “give us this day our daily bread”
  • if you’re not feeding the poor who are hungry today;
• Don’t say: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
  • if you’re holding onto grudges or resentments against others;
• Don’t say: “lead us not into temptation”
  • if your intention is to carry on sinning;
• Don’t say: “deliver us from evil”
  • if you’re not working with God to confront the deceits of the enemy;
• Don’t say: “Amen”
  • if you don’t believe in OUR FATHER.

A translation of the Portuguese original at Casa Dom Inácio, Abadiânia GO, Brazil