THE LORD'S PRAYER
IN PERSPECTIVE

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 situations
where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL,"
----if I am not prepared to fight for the quality of my life
and that of others through watchful 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, let it be so."