The Lord’s Prayer

I CANNOT SAY…

I cannot say “Our”,

if my religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say “Father”,

if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.

I cannot say “Who art in heaven”,

if all my interests and pursuits are on earthly things.

I cannot say “Hallowed be thy name”,

if I, who is called by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say “Thy kingdom come”,

if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say “Thy will be done”,

if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say “On earth as it is 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 by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellowmen.

I cannot say “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”,

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 loyal 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”,

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.”

– Author Unknown, The Evangel, 3/27/85.

OUR FATHER,

who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

– Matthew 6:9-13

– Book of Common Prayer, 1928.

Filed by wes on February 5th, 2009 under Readings, Prayers, Video Clips