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 life.

I cannot say:

“Who art in Heaven” if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot say:

“Hallowed be Thy name” if I, who am 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” if I am not truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.

I cannot say:

“Give us this day our daily bread” if I am not expending an honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow man.

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 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 do or say to me.

I cannot say:

“Thine is the glory” if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say:

“Forever” if I am anxious about each day’s events.

I cannot say:

“Amen” if I don’t honestly say “cost what it may, this is my prayer.”

~Author Unknown