The Lord’s Prayer
“I cannot say…. If…..”
(Author Unknown)
I cannot say “Our,” if my religion has no room for others and their need.
I cannot say “Father,” if I do not relate to God as my loving parent.
I cannot say “Who art in heaven,” if all my time and energy are invested in earthly things.
I cannot say “Hallowed be Thy name,” if I, who am called by His name, am not holy.
I cannot say “Thy Kingdom come,” if I am unwilling to hand over the reins of my life and accept the righteous reign of God.
I cannot say “Thy will be done,” if I am unwilling to accept God’s will or am resentful of God’s will for my life.
I cannot say “On earth as in heaven,” unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.
I cannot say “Give us this day our daily bread,” without expending honest effort for it or while ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow human beings.
I cannot say “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say “Lead us not into temptation,” if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
I cannot say “Deliver us from evil,” if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.
I cannot say “Thine is the Kingdom,” if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loving subject.
I cannot say “Thine is the power,” if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.
I cannot say “Thine is the glory,” if I am seeking my own glory first.
I cannot say “Forever and ever,” if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.
I cannot say “Amen,” unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”
