I cannot pray…

I cannot pray “Our”, if my faith has no room for others and their need.

I cannot pray “Father,” or “Creator,” If I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.

I cannot pray “Who art in Heaven,” if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly or material 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 “On earth as it is in Heaven,” unless I am 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 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 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 the Evil One,” 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 fr their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your heavenly father/Creator knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask HIM.” (Matthew 6: 7-8).