I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others and their need.
I cannot say FATHER if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my living.
I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if all my interest and pursuits are in 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 fellow men.
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 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 glory first.
I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about other affairs.
I cannot say AMEN unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."
AMEN.
2 comments:
The Lord's Prayer is beautiful in its full, simple surrender. It's powerful to me that Jesus told us, sinners, to pray this way. In so many ways the prayer reveals God to us even as it reveals us to ourselves.
Thanks for this post :).
Rachel
Author of Heart to Heart: Meeting With God in the Lord's Prayer
Thanks Rachel,
I enjoyed the insights posted about your own book. You have touched at some depth the spirit of the prayer. Thanks
Gary
Post a Comment