A NEW LOOK AT THE LORD'S PRAYER

I cannot pray "OUR" if my faith

has no room for others and their need.

I cannot pray "FATHER" if I do not demonstrate

this relationship to God in my daily living.

I cannot pray "WHO ART IN HEAVEN" if all my interests

and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot pray "HALLOWED BE THY NAME" if I am not striving

for God's help to be holy.

I cannot pray "THY KINGDOM COME" if I am unwilling

to accept God's rule in my life.

I cannot pray "ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN"

unless I am truly ready to give myself

to God's service here and now.

I cannot pray "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD"

without expending honest effort for it,

or if I would withhold from my neighbor

the bread I receive.

I cannot pray "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"

if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot pray "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"

if I deliberately choose to remain

in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL"

if I am not prepared to fight

with my life and my prayer.

I cannot pray "THINE IS THE KINGDOM"

if I am unwilling to obey the King.

I cannot pray "THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY"

if I am seeking power for myself

and my own glory first.

I cannot pray "FOREVER AND EVER"

if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

I cannot pray "AMEN" unless I honestly say

"Not MY will, but THY will be done."

So let it be.

~~AUTHOR UNKNOWN~~