I just got home from a meeting at AA. For those of you that do not know what that is, it is Alcoholics Anonymous. I have been going there on and off for about eight years. At this new meeting I attend they close by saying the Lords Prayer as everyone holds hands. Not at every meeting but more than most, and quite often. Normally they all hold hands and say the “serenity prayer”. The serenity prayer goes like this, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”

Tonight as they began to say the Lord Prayer I joined in. I couldn’t get very far because a huge lump developed in my throat. Raised as a Jehovah Witness, we never did anything like this. Hold hands and say the Lord’s Prayer. I believe it was viewed as wrong and still is. Repeating prayers was viewed as a violation of Jesus words at Matthew 6:7, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. (New Living Translation)

I for one do not believe Jesus was condemning group prayers like this. I am not sure. I believe he was talking about repetitive prayers like saying “hail Mary” over and over. Any way, it doesn’t bother my conscience. As I said, everyone held hands and one man lead by asking, “who’s father is he?” Then they all said, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-10, King James)

I got to tell you, this gets to me every time. Every time I try to say these words in a group like this I get choked up. Unless you have done this you have no Idea how it feels. Everyone repeating Jesus Christ’s words, not our own. Is this wrong? I don’t see how it could be but then again, like I said, it doesn’t bother me. It did bother me at first when I started going to AA about eight years ago. I was still a practicing JW back then. I thought I was different then all these “worldly people”. I guess, kinda chosen or better then they were. You see, I knew the “truth” and the “true God”. I have learned a lot sense then.

I am not sure what the Watchtower has to say on this subject but I am sure they have said something. I’m not going to take the time to look it up. If you want to, please post it for us. You never know, you might be on a sinking ship someday and some one might say, “who’s father is he?” What will you do? Dinner is calling my name and I got to go. I just wanted to share this with all of you to see how you feel. I thought about sharing this before but didn’t. Tonight I just felt the need. I don’t know why.

Your brother,
Greybeard

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9 Comments on The Lords Payer

  1. serein says:

    my american husnabd also went to aa way back cos of a drink prob when he was young i just told him ur story and he said they did the same were he went, i like the lords prayer and i think cos jesus said it its ok for us to say it and i think some bros at hall used to babble on and babble on for a good long wile at that to, theyd bable for so long id forget what they was talking about, i think some of them did also who were doing the prayers,

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  2. Jon says:

    The Father , I am sure told you to share with us.

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  3. Dennis says:

    There was a recent Watchtower article I seen referenced somewhere that discouraged holding hands during prayer as a group. Maybe it was here where I seen it, I can’t remember and wouldn’t have access to the article anyways.

    D

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  4. greybeard says:

    What’s you opinion on it big D?

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  5. Dennis says:

    Well G.B.

    I have absolutely no problem with it at all. The Bible Student study I attend occasionally does this at every meeting. Not the Lords pray but prayer in general.

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  6. Amos says:

    Hi G.B. & thank’s for sharing this with us.

    As a youngster I had a very big problem with alcohol, & was able to beat it before it was to late. I do have an occasional drink now, maybe about 5-10 a year….& don’t have any desire to go back to regular drinking.

    Like Dennis said, I don’t have a problem with it either, the Lord’s words are good enough for me.
    IMO, if it was wrong to recite the Lord’s Prayer, it would also be wrong to recite any other passage of scripture, particularly those containing prayer or supplication to our Father.

    I also understand where you are coming from with regard to the emotional side of things, I too get affected by some things like this at times, particularly when I read some of the heartfelt prayers of David in the Psalms, they really hit a soft spot with me.

    May I encourage all here to ask our Father in prayer to give Greybeard the needed support & strength to overcome this problem.

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  7. greybeard says:

    Thank’s Amos,

    I have almost 1 year of sobriety. I am feeling much better.

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  8. serein says:

    im praying for you gb :)

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  9. rob says:

    I was randomly googling about this because I was raised a Jehovah’s witness but not baptized. I fell into peer pressure as I grew older and experienced the worldly way. Obviously its better to never have done so, but I believe you have to live and learn in order to appreciate what you grew up learning.

    I’m not saying anything other than my opinion on this. Every time the court forces me to goto AA meetings I spend the entire time in my mind feeling guilty. Not about my DUI but about the fact I’m forced to be apart of this falsehood. I want you to know that I am trying to repent from my mistakes as best I can and obeying what Cesar forced me to do.

    All the AA meetings utilize fear tactics to keep you going to them. If you spent anytime reading the bible you are ahead of these people in your relationship with god. AA basically steals the business model of all churches and groups scare people into buying the literature and donate.

    I’m far from perfect but when they made me goto counseling I realized what made me drink was me not being comfortable in my own skin and the constant mental debate. There is only one true god and his name is Jehovah. The truth of the matter is we all make mistakes and are imperfect. When I started embracing who I really am life started to flow back to normal. You are your own person , make your own choices .

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