More than ever before people in the Western World are now experimenting with a method of meditation derived from a great religion of the East, Hinduism. Their hope is that through this method they will gain release from the stresses of modern living and discover energies within themselves that previously were dormant. Since these are two benefits that Christians can reasonably expect to derive as by-products of their own prayers, it is appropriate that they consider deeply and humbly the mode of prayer given to them by their own Founder, Christ Jesus, and see if they really understand and are using it to the best advantage.
The Lord's Prayer has comforted, inspired, helped, and healed millions since it was given to the world nearly twenty centuries ago. There is no cause to believe that it is any less effective now to meet the needs of modern men and women. On the contrary, those who love and live it understandingly find it adequate to solve every problem.
According to the best-known version, given in the King James translation of Matthew's Gospel, this prayer consists of merely sixty-five words, only two of them more than two syllables in length. But it has constantly been proved that its power to uplift us from the evils of materialistic thinking and make us aware of God's power and presence is unparalleled. Each word is significant—packed with spiritual meaning. Together they form not only a ladder by means of which human thought can be lifted above false, mortal belief and its woes and pressures to the consciousness of heaven at hand, but they convey a message of God's power over human experience. When spiritual truth is understood it restructures both the human mind and its objectifications, the physical body and world. It brings out harmony in place of discord and heals whatever diseased condition may be in evidence in that human realm.
