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 "IN 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)
A Special Thank You to my Friend Isaac for sending this to me.
PAGE DEDICATION
To My Friends & Former Members of The Gospel Five from Olean, NY
This was a Christian singing group that I was a member of. The Lord's Prayer was one of the many songs we sang and it was always the one that we used to close our sing fest. We used to go to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY and sing for the Sisters in the Infirmary. I often think of the other members of the group and hope and pray that they are still doing fine after all these years.
