Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:


Apparently the English-language Our Father / Lord's Prayer translation used by the Catholic Church actually came from Anglicanism and the Book of Common Prayer, that's why it's identical to the one used by Lutherans as well.

Originally Posted By Bishop3:

Organized religion to me means the external structures and traditions that people build around faith. Those can be helpful for fellowship, learning, and encouragement, but they are not the heart of Christianity (Christ in you, the hope of Glory).

In contrast, a personal relationship/personal faith centers on knowing and relating directly to the living Person of Jesus Christ by faith --- through the Word, prayer, witness of the Holy Spirit, and daily dependence on Him. The institution is not the source of life; Christ is.

For me the essence is a personal relationship with the living Son of God. Eternal life itself is defined as knowing God and Jesus Christ personally.

@Gullskjegg see the Word of God:

John 17:3
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." ~Jesus

Paul the Lord's Apostle counted everything else as loss compared to knowing Christ.

Philippians 3:8-10
‘More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings…’
~ Paul the Lord's Apostle

Here, Jesus warned against forms of religion that stay on the surface

Matthew 15:8-9
"This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." ~ Jesus

And Paul cautioned believers not to be taken captive by human tradition instead of Christ.

Colossians 2:8
‘See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.’
~ Paul the Lord's Apostle

Sir, so while I do deeply value the body of believers and sound teaching, I don’t put my faith primarily in an institution or its ceremonies. I put it in a living relationship with Jesus --- who is a Person, risen and present, not a system or a religious formula. *The institution should serve that relationship, not replace it.

Everything we have as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ is through His death, burial and resurrection. He is alive. This event changed my life. I personally called on the name of the Lord and He rescued me. Jesus is Lord!

My mom is having a hard go at it and is in the hospital again. She fell and fractured a rib. It's getting difficult caring for her because of some other very challenging circumstances like her mental state and the living conditions she chooses. Whoever reads this, I'm asking that you would pray with me that she can make good decisions for her health now. For a home health care or even a rehabilitation facility. This is all heavy and I'm leaning on Jesus; He is my burden bearer. I trust Him.

Have a blessed day in the Lord. Thank you.