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I Cannot Pray
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.
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