Hayr Mer

This activity will take 30 minutes at the end of class. Before students arrive, write the following instructions on a large newsprint page. “Read your assigned line(s). Then, 1) Write the positive statement being suggested and 2) Give two examples of how you can follow this command very easily in your own life.”

End class (allowing a half hour for the exercise) by saying the Lord’s Prayer in English. Then distribute the page below. Read through it, line by line, without comment. Then assign students a line (or more, make sure all lines are assigned so that they can be discussed) and tape up your newsprint instructions. You can give an example of the first one: Positive command: “I live also for others.” Examples: I’ll be more considerate to family members. I will help out as needed at Sunday School without resentment.” Allow five minutes for students to answer on the back of their page. Then collect pages and read and discuss answers. Or have students read answers and discuss.

CHALLENGING THE LORD’S PRAYER

I cannot say OUR if I live only for myself.

I cannot say FATHER if I do not endeavor each day to act like His child.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am laying up no treasure there.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am not striving for holiness.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am disobedient to His word.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I will not serve Him here and now.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if dishonest or seeking things by subterfuge.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately place myself in its path.

I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I do not put on the whole armor of God.

I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not give the King the loyalty due him from a faithful subject.

I cannot say THE POWER if I fear what others may do.

I cannot say FOREVER if the horizon of my life is bounded by the things of today.