I Cannot Pray

I Cannot Pray
(author unknown)

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 of 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 "THY WILL BE DONE",
if I am unwilling or resentful of having it 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.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your heavenly Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him. [Matthew 6:7-8]

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